The Panthers softball team opened the 2024 season Saturday at Monroe Community College. The Panthers showed plenty of early-season rust, but improved as the day went on before ultimately falling 14-1 and 16-8. While Tompkins Cortland is now 0-2, Monroe improves to 7-3.

Game One: Monroe 14, Tompkins Cortland 1  

The Panthers started slowly, going hitless over the first three innings. The offense finally opened up in the fourth, with Andrea Medovich (Kirkwood/Windsor H.S.) getting a triple for the first hit of the season. The first run came later in the inning after Gabby Foley (Barton/Tioga H.S.) drove in the lone run of the game with a double.

Game Two: Monroe 16, Tompkins Cortland 8

Playing as the home team in game two, the Panthers had much more success, starting with Medovich leading off the bottom of the first inning with a home run. Gabby Foley had a huge game, going 4-for-4 with a double and 3 RBI.  Abby Foley (Barton/Tioga H.S.) went 2-for-3 with 3 runs scored and Ellery Ensign (Marathon/Marathon H.S.) had two hits in four at bats. Austyn Vance (Nichols/Tioga H.S.) had the other hit, a double, as the Panthers had 10 hits on the game.

Looking ahead

The Panthers hope to host SUNY Broome on Thursday for the team's home opener.