The 2022 Tompkins Cortland softball season finally got underway on Thursday, with the Panthers traveling to Watertown to take on Jefferson Community College. After several weather-related postponements moved the season-opener back, the team finally got on the diamond, ultimately losing both ends of the doubleheader 14-2 and 12-3.

Game One: Jefferson 14, Tompkins Cortland 2  (5 innings)

Even after having so many games postponed, the Panthers still had to brave rough weather in their opener. With a cold rain and strong winds, the team took some time to get things going. Jefferson opened the scoring with four runs in the bottom of the first, but Tompkins Cortland kept the Cannoneers off the board in the second. The third inning saw the Panthers plate their first run of the season, but Jefferson responded with two in the bottom of the frame and eight in the fourth to put the game away.

Mackenzie Rochford (Dryden/Dryden H.S.) led the offense with a pair of hits and an RBI. Shalynn Bizardi (Montezuma/Dana L. West H.S.) and Brittany Barillaro (Marathon/Groton H.S.) scored the runs for the Panthers, and Kari Mosher (Horseheads/Horseheads H.S.) was solid in the circle, striking out a pair.

Game Two: Jefferson 12, Tompkins Cortland 3  (5 innings)

Game two saw Tompkins Cortland get on the board first, plating a run in the bottom of the first after keeping the Cannoneers scoreless in the top of the frame. Jefferson responded with three in the second, starting a sting of four straight innings of scoring for Jefferson, capped with a 6-run fifth that put the game away.

Rochford went 1-for-3 with an RBI in the nightcap. Abby Villnave (Homer/homer H.S.) also had a hit for the Panthers.  Mosher recorded three strikeouts pitching in game two.

Looking ahead

The Panthers hope to host Onondaga on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m.