Despite leading after four innings in both games, the Panthers weren't able to pick up a win on Saturday, losing to Genesee Community College 15-9 and 11-8. The results put TC3's record at 2-19 overall and 1-8 in the Mid-State Athletic Conference. Genesee is now 9-14 overall and 4-4 in the MSAC.
Game One: Genesee 15, Tompkins Cortland 9
A leadoff double by Dominic Zona turned into a 1-0 lead for the Panthers in the opener. Another run in the third made the lead 2-0, and after starting pitcher Roman Villanueva put up another zero in the fourth, the Panthers held a 2-0 lead heading into the fifth inning. Genesee opened the fifth with three straight hits, and before the inning was over, the Cougars had plated seven runs and knocked Villanueva out of the game. Four more runs in the top of the sixth made it 11-2 before the Panthers rallied for seven in the bottom of the sixth to make it a two-run difference with one inning left. Four runs in the top of the seventh gave Genesee some breathing room and provided for the final 15-9 margin.
Keelan Marren went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI for the Panthers. Evan Shank also had two hits in four at bats and drove in two runs and Parker Seeley had a double and two RBI.
Villanueva took the loss while allowing four seven runs (four earned) while striking out three over 4.1 innings.
Game Two: Genesee 11, Tompkins Cortland 8
The nightcap also started well for the home team, with Marren blasting his second homer of the day in the bottom of the first inning to help the Panthers jump ahead 3-0. The Cougars responded quickly with five runs in the second and two more in the third, but TC3 had an answer of their own. In the fourth, a home run from Aiden Huften capped a five-run rally, putting the home team back in front, 8-7. A single run from Genesee in the fifth tied the game, and then another run in the sixth made it 9-8. Two more runs in the seventh put Genesee up 11-8, and the Panthers were unable to answer again.
Marren capped off a big day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double and home run in game two. Three pitchers combined to allow just five earned runs, with Cooper Oullette getting tagged for the loss.
Looking ahead
The Panthers and Cougars square off again on Sunday, this time for doubleheader in Batavia.