CARBONDALE – The Montezuma-Cortez Panthers are bracing themselves for how tough Intermountain League baseball action will be.

Entering league play, which gets underway this upcoming Saturday, the Panthers faced stiff competition at the Trent Goscha Memorial Tournament in Carbondale.

The defending league champs went 1-2 over the weekend, topping the host Roaring Fork Rams 11-0 before falling to Grand Junction Central (11-6) and Canon City (11-10) to conclude the tournament.

Montezuma-Cortez is 5-7 entering league play.

In the Panthers’ win over the Rams, junior Kolby Wirth led the way with a pair of hits, including a double, driving in three runs as Montezuma-Cortez broke open a close game with a five-run fourth inning to take a 7-0 lead.

Sophomore Cory Carver and freshman Easton Pixler each drove in a pair of runs, while sophomores Parker Conrad and Darren Daves each added two runs as the Panthers pulled away with four more runs in their half of the seventh inning.

The offense proved to be more than enough for another solid start from junior Seth Oakes, who struck out five in his 4 1/3 innings of work. Classmate Bobby Likes came on for the final eight outs, holding the Rams without a hit to secure the win.

Conrad continued his strong weekend at the plate in the Panthers’ loss to Gran Junction Central, blasting a home run and driving in two as the Panthers took a 4-1 lead. However, the Warriors posted six runs in the third inning, then put the game away with four more in the sixth.

Montezuma-Cortez sophomore Jaris McDonald stroked a pair of hits, while starting the game on the mound for coach Tim Passell’s crew.

Freshman Connor Rosenbaugh came on in relief for Montezuma-Cortez. The Panthers built an 8-3 lead against another stout 4A opponent in Canon City to wrap up the tournament, but fell apart in the final two innings and lost 11-10.

Montezuma-Cortez begins Intermountain League play on April 13 at Pagosa Springs.