Baseball | 5/15/2026 11:13:35 PM
SCHENECTADY, NY – No. 12 Russell Sage College Baseball began its NCAA Tournament run by falling 9-2 against visiting Penn State Harrisburg. The Gators (36-7), coming in at number 12 in the most recent NCAA NPI, will now play on Saturday at 11:00 AM in an elimination contest.
Penn State Harrisburg (34-13), the Little East Conference Champions, used a five run second to take an 6-0 lead on the Gators, playing their first-ever NCAA home game as a department, through three.
Senior infielder Tim Haftl had the big hit of the second-inning rally, a two-run single with one out. He finished 3-for-5 with a run scored and three RBI.
Senior right-hander Fisher Druck (Win, 8-3) made the run support stand up, pitching 7.0 innings and allowing two runs on nine hits.
The RSC runs came in the fourth on a two-run homer by junior third baseman Jayden Kennedy (East Patchogue, NY/Patchogue Medford/HVCC)
Freshman outfielder Nick Irizarry (South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield), the 2026 Empire 8 Conference Rookie of the Year, senior pitcher/designated hitter Evan Grimes (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa), the E8 Pitcher of the Year, and sophomore first baseman Darren Dengler (Hobart, NY/South Kortright) each had two hits to pace the Gator offense.
Junior Tyler Murray (East Greenbush, NY/Columbia/HVCC) tossed six innings in relief of Grimes (Loss, 7-2). The right-hander struck out five to help RSC save arms for the rest of the Regional.
Freshman outfielder James Quici went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBI to lead the victors.
RSC will now have to win twice on both Saturday and Sunday to advance in the Tournament. The Gators will face the loser of the Trinity vs. Randolph-Macon contest later this afternoon on Saturday at 11:00 AM in an elimination game.
