Hornets Split Doubleheader At TC3

Strong pitching from both sides led to a split for each team in a tight two-game series over the weekend.

Visiting a conference rival in Tompkins Cortland CC on Saturday, the SUNY Broome baseball team took game one of the doubleheader by a score of 5-3 but fell in game two by a score of 5-2.

Game 1: SUNY Broome 5, TC3 3

The first game of two yielded just six hits total (two by Broome and four by TC3). After scoring in the top of the 1st, the Hornets trailed 2-1 after three, but managed to go ahead 3-2 before TC3 tied it at 3-3 in the bottom of the 4th. In the top of the 7th, a big RBI double by Jacob McTigue gave Broome a 4-3 cushion and an RBI groundout by Kaiden Cannistra extended the advantage to 5-3 before the game was closed out in the bottom of the inning. 

Peyton Farrell was the starting pitcher for Broome, limiting the Panthers to just three hits and three runs over 3.0 innings, but his seven walks prevented him from getting deep into the game. McTigue came in to relieve Farrell and slammed the door on TC3. Over 4.0 innings, McTigue allowed just one hit, didn't give up any runs or walks, and struck out four. 

The Hornets drew seven walks, stole six bases, and turned two key double plays in the win. Nicholas Ragonese had three walks, scoring twice and stealing a base. Santino Michitti had two walks, and Cannistra and Jason Kithcart Jr. each swiped two bags. 

Game 2: SUNY Broome 2, TC3 5

More offensive success was yielded in the second leg of the doubleheader as the two teams combined for 16 hits. The game was within striking distance for the Hornets in the bottom of the 6th, trailing just 3-2, but TC3 put together a two-out rally to score two runs and go ahead 5-2. The Panthers would hang on from there.

In a groove after closing out game one, McTigue stayed on the bump for Broome in game two. Pitching well yet again, he went 5.2 innings, allowing nine hits and three earned runs, striking out nine and walking just two. Zechariah Clouston got one out on one pitch in relief.

Cannistra had a clutch, two-out RBI single in the 1st. Clouston and McTigue collected two hits each in the loss. McTigue delivered a triple and a double, drew a walk, was hit by a pitch, and stole a base. He also missed a home run by inches, drilling a ball over the left field foul pole that was deemed out of play. 

It was a stellar two-way performance overall on the day for McTigue: three hits, two runs scored, and a stolen base ; 9.2 innings pitched, just two walks and three earned runs allowed, and 13 batters struck out ; and two assists, three putouts, and a double play in the field. 

SUNY Broome sits at 1-3 on the season heading into a conference doubleheader on Thursday at Finger Lakes CC.

@BroomeAthletics