By Justin Ites

Ellsworth Community College dropped a pair of games during the opening day of the Region XI Tournament and had their season come to an end on Thursday. The sixth-seed Panthers opened play versus third-seeded Iowa Central, and the Tritons (44-9) scored in four of the five innings played before recording an 11-1 win in five innings.

That result dropped ECC into the consolation bracket later in the day against Northeast Community College. During the elimination game, the Panthers led the game 6-2 entering the bottom of the fourth, but NECC scored 10 unanswered runs to take control. The Hawks went on to win 12-7 and bounce ECC from the tournament.

Triton pitcher Isaiah Brennan tossed all five innings, and allowed just two hits and one earned run in the opening loss. The Panthers (21-33) scored their only run on an RBI double off the bat of Maddox O'Connor.

On the mound, Tripp Rawlings took the loss after throwing the first four innings. He allowed eight runs (five earned) on seven hits.

A grand slam by Iowa Central's George McIntyre off Panther relief pitcher Drew Drake in the bottom of the fifth provided the 10-run rule to end the game, 11-1.

During the nightcap versus NECC, Eric McGill's three run homer to leftfield gave the Panthers a 6-2 advantage in the fourth frame, but the lead evaporated.

The Hawks (32-26) rallied for four runs in the bottom of the inning and then plated one in the sixth, two in the seventh and three in the eighth.

McGill was 3-6 at the plate with 4RBI, and Dillon Carlson was 3-4. Brody Crow took the pitching loss in relief of Sam Wirag, who competed four innings and allowed six hits and six runs (five earned).

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