The Panthers softball team played host to the top team in the region – and one of the best in the nation – on Saturday. With Herkimer College coming to Dryden, the Panthers saw firsthand why the Generals are so highly regarded, getting blanked in both ends of the doubleheader, losing 27-0 and 16-0. Tompkins Cortland is now 0-6 on the year. With the wins, Herkimer, the #2-ranked team in the nation, is now 21-5 overall and 6-0 in Region III.

Herkimer 27, Tompkins Cortland 0 (5 innings)

The Panthers managed just three baserunners in the opener, including two on singles by Amanda Green (Lansing/Lansing H.S.) and Lucinda Lee (Greene/Greene H.S.). Herkimer scored twice in the first inning before exploding for 13 in the second and 11 in the third frames. The Generals sent 32 batters to the plate over the second and third innings and finished the game with a final hit total of 26.

Herkimer 16, Tompkins Cortland 0 (5 innings)

Herkimer's pitching continued to dominate the Panthers in game two. Seven of the first nine batters went down via the strikeout, and it was the fourth inning before the Panthers notched their first hit. Roselee Diaz (Harlem/South Bronx Preparatory) and Mackenzie Constable (Sidney/Sidney H.S.) had hits in the fourth inning when the Panthers put a runner in scoring position for the only time of the day. Paige Graham (Groton/Groton H.S.) also had a hit, stroking a single in the fifth.

Looking ahead

The Panthers are home Tuesday and Thursday this week with doubleheaders against Fulton-Montgomery Community College and Jefferson Community College, respectively.