Gators Win First Conference Game in Run-Rule Fashion
Russell Sage College baseball opened Empire 8 Conference play on Sunday evening against Houghton, enacting the run-rule after seven innings with a 13-1 victory.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
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1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
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1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 0 | X | 13 | 13 | 0 |
ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College baseball opened Empire 8 Conference play on Sunday evening against Houghton, enacting the run-rule after seven innings with a 13-1 victory.
Eight different Gators had hits in the victory, headlined by senior Collin Casey (Marlboro, NY/Marlboro/Saint Rose), who had three hits and a pair of RBIs.
Seniors Joseph Karpierz (Latham, NY/Shaker/Xavier) and Evan Grimes (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) and sophomore Darren Dengler (Hobart, NY/South Kortright) each had a pair of knocks. Dengler led all hitters with four runs-batted-in, while Grimes drove in a pair. Karpierz and senior Anthony Rizzo (Latham, NY/Shaker/HVCC) drove in one run a piece.
Mitch Neer (Newburgh, NY/Marlboro) had four strong plate appearances, including three walks and a hit. The sophomore drove in and scored a run in the effort.
Grimes got the start on the hill, giving up a run in the top of the first before settling in and picking up his second victory of the year. The two-way struck out ten Highlanders across six innings of work.
"I'm really proud of Evan Grimes commanding multiple pitches in the zone tonight," shared Head Coach Matt Marsh after his first conference victory. "Our offense continued to be high ball-in-play in high pressure. I want to command Mitch Neer for having three really good at-bats. Tomorrow is a brand new day and we need to show up ready to go.
The Gators host the Highlanders again on Monday for a doubleheader.
Gator Bites with Papa John's: RSC is in its first season under the direction of Head Coach Matt Marsh…The Gators are coming off a 27-15 record and a trip to the Empire 8 Conference Championship Tournament Finals last year…19 returners combine with 18 newcomers on this year's squad…Senior pitcher/outfielder Evan Grimes (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa/SUNY Adirondack), senior catcher Collin Casey (Marlboro, NY/Marlboro/Saint Rose), and senior pitcher Xavier Garcia (San Diego, CA/Saratoga Springs/SUNY Adirondack) headline the returners…Grimes garnered a multitude of honors after last season, being named to the First-Team in the Empire 8 and Second-Team All-Region from the ACBA…Casey was named second-team All-Empire 8 for the 2025 campaign… Senior infielder Joseph Karpierz (Latham, NY/Shaker/Xavier), junior infielder Jayden Kennedy (East Patchogue, NY/Patchogue Medford/HVCC), and junior pitcher Tyler Murray (East Greenbush, NY/Columbia/HVCC) highlight the newcomers… Grimes was named the Empire 8 Conference Pitcher of the Week for the period ending Sunday, March 1...The lefty registered an eleven strikeout performance across 5.2 innings in the 2-0 season-opening win vs. Mount Saint Vincent on February 28...The All-Region performer allowed just two hits and two walks to help the Gators begin their season in the win column...Karpierz was selected the Empire 8 Conference Baseball Player of the Week for the period ending Sunday, March 15...The infielder batted .522 (12/23) with nine runs scored and 13 RBI across six games...Karpierz, who slugged .826, reached base at a 58.1 percent clip...He tallied five doubles and went 4-for-4 on stolen base attempts...Grimes was named the Empire 8 Conference Player of the Week for the period ending Sunday, March 22...He hit .529 with nine RBI in the 4-0 week...The senior, who scored three runs and totaled 16 bases, slugged .941 and reached base at a .556 rate...Garcia was named the Empire 8 Conference Pitcher of the Week for the period ending Sunday, March 22...The senior allowed three hits and zero earned runs to earn the win against Western New England on March 21.
