The Genesee Community College softball team faced some of the toughest competition it may face all season during its trip down south, and after seven contests in South Carolina the team will now have a few weeks to prepare against Region-III competition beginning in April.

On their final day in South Carolina the team started the day with a tough loss to Joliet Junior College 2-0 March 15. While the Cougars were only out-hit by a 4-3 total, it was the extra base hits Joliet plated that ultimately decided the morning contest.

Sam Tatarski tossed a solid game in only allowing four hits and a single earned run in facing 25 batters with a pair of strikeouts.

Cougars hitters against Joliet included Nicole Cooper, Brittni Way and Becca Meyers.

Genesee officially ended its southern play on a high note against Rend Lake. In the team's final inning they matched a season-high for runs with a pair that also led to another season-high for runs in a game at three.

Heading into the bottom of the final inning, the Cougars trailed by just a pair of runs at 5-3 with hits coming from Jackie Guzdek, Mikayla Bush, Shiori Ubukata and Kennedy Lampart. The latter two along with Tatarski also each recorded a RBI in the 11-3 loss.

The Cougars next take the field for their home-opener April 3 in a doubleheader against Finger Lakes Community College starting at 3 p.m.