RSC Baseball Wins Ninth Straight
Russell Sage College baseball, who got votes in the ABCA poll for the first time in program history this week, won their ninth straight game with an 11-4 victory over Utica on Wednesday.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 2 |
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1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | X | 11 | 12 | 3 |
TROY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College baseball, who got votes in the ABCA poll for the first time in program history this week, won their ninth straight game with an 11-4 victory over Utica on Wednesday.
The Gators (15-3/4-0 E8) scored runs in five different frames to begin their Empire 8 Conference slate 4-0.
Seven different RSC hitters recorded knocks, including two with a trio each. Freshman Nick Irizarry (South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) registered a double and two singles with a pair of RBIs, while senior Joseph Karpierz (Latham, NY/Shaker/Xavier) had three singles and knocked in a run.
Senior Evan Grimes (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) drove in four runs, including two on a double.
The Gators led 9-4 through seven frames, before getting two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth. Sophomore Darren Dengler (Hobart, NY/South Kortright) headlined the final inning of scoring by blasting one over the right-center field fence for his second home run of the season, a solo shot.
Pitching was strong for RSC, beginning with a big bounce-back start from senior Xavier Garcia (San Diego, CA/Saratoga Springs/SUNY Adirondack), who struck out six across four innings of work. Sophomore Asa Dugan (Morris, NY/Morris Central) relieved him and went the final five, punching out four Pioneers without giving up a run.
"Xavier Garcia showed incredible resilience today, going from the outing he had the other day to today and competing through it," shared Head Coach Matt Marsh following the win. "Asa Dugan came in with five scoreless innings and did a tremendous job of relentlessly attacking the strike zone, I'm incredibly proud of him. Offensively, we continue to be a high ball-in-play offense and create pressure and dominate routine plays defensively. Really proud of our group. It takes every guy in our dugout, and they continue to stay invested."
RSC returns to the Diamond this weekend for a three-game set against Keuka.
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, Ma
