The Panthers softball team earned its first win of the season on Sunday, taking game two of a doubleheader with Mohawk Valley Community College. After dropping game one 9-7, the Panthers won the nightcap 7-5. TC3 is now 1-3 on the season; Mohawk Valley is 4-5 overall and 1-1 in Region 3.

Game One: Mohawk Valley 9, Tompkins Cortland 7

The Panthers had led in both games of their season opener against Niagara earlier in the week, only to see the leads vanish. The same happened in game one against Mohawk Valley. The Panthers scored first with two runs in the third and then extended the lead to 7-2 in the middle of the fifth inning. TC3 still lead going into the sixth, 7-5, but Mohawk Valley pushed across four runs in the bottom of the sixth to hand the Panthers a third-straight loss after leading.  

Brooklynn Seiger led the offense by going 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Elizabeth Martin and Makayla Esau each went 2-for-4 at the plate and Sophie Mayer drove in three runs.

Martin struck out six while going the distance in the circle.

Game Two: Tompkins Cortland 7, Mohawk Valley 5

The breakthrough for the Panthers came in game two. TC3 once again took an early lead, ahead 6-2 after two innings. But unlike the first three games, this time the Panthers didn't give up the lead. TC3 added a run in the fourth before withstanding a late Mohawk Valley rally to earn the 7-5 win.

Pitcher Peyton Swartwout was the winner for the Panthers, allowing just two earned runs while striking out 10 over seven innings. Easau was the lone Panther with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with three RBI.

Looking ahead

The Panthers are scheduled to host Finger Lakes Community College on Tuesday.