University of Hartford

AT HARTFORD
2026: Russell made 17 starts for the Hawks and 21 overall appearances in his senior year. He ended the year with a .338/.400/.585 (AVG/SLG/OBP) slash line with three long balls, seven doubles, 18 RBIs and 12 runs scored. Behind the plate John had 67 putouts and seven assists with six runners caught stealing. He held a 1.000% fielding percentage in 2026. Russell would go 2-for-3 on March 25th against Wesleyan University with a homer, three RBIs and a run scored. His best game of the season came on May 2nd at Gordon College going 4-for-6 with a homer, three RBIs and a run scored. Russell was later named to the CNE All-Conference 3rd Team. 

2025: Russell played behind the plate during his junior season with Hawks. During his 19 games, including 18 starts he recorded a .227 batting average and a .704 OPS. Russell also tallied 15 RBIs, 12 runs scored, three home runs and a double. One of his best offensive games came when he had an eight RBI game in a 21-3 win over Western Connecticut State on April 24. Defensively, he delivered a .975 fielding percentage, 150 putouts, 15 assists, and eight errors.

2024: Russell appeared in 27 games and made 10 starts behind the plate during his freshman season, slashing .185/.185/.389 (AVG/OBP/SLG) with one RBI and one run scored. He tallied five hits including two doubles on 27 at-bats and stole one base. Defensively, he recorded 62 putouts, seven assists, and committed four errors, finishing with a strong .945 fielding percentage.

PRIOR TO HARTFORD: Graduate of Eastchester High School.