MARSHALL, TX (04.12.11) - The UT Dallas softball team played its fifth and sixth straight games against top 10 foe Tuesday afternoon as the Comets dropped a pair of contests at No. 6 East Texas Baptist, 10-2 and 7-3.

The Comets dropped to 14-16 overall (3-11 ASC East) while ETBU improved to 29-5 (14-4 ASC East).

GAME 1 - ETBU 10, UTD 2 (6 inn.) (BOX SCORE)
No. 6 East Texas Baptist jumped ahead early and never trailed as the Tigers handed UT Dallas 10-2 loss in six innings in the first of two games on the day.

The host Tigers opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning, getting a pair of runs of RBI singles by Beck Young and Lya Swaner followed by a two-out, bases-loaded walk drawn by Kristin Wersterfer to give ETBU an early 3-0 lead. After a pitching change, the Tigers added a final run in the inning on a single by Ashton Brey to give ETBU a four-run advantage. The Tigers tacked on another run in the third frame when Meghan Foster stole home with two outs, giving ETBU a 5-0 lead.

The Comets rallied in the top of the fourth as junior Caysie Norum opened UTD's half of the frame with a walk and then moved to second on a single by sophomore Brittanie Knowles followed by a Tiger error. One batter later, freshman Shelby Stephens cut the ETBU lead to 5-2 with a two-run single to center field.

But, the Tigers answered with single runs in the bottom of the fourth and fifth before plating three runs in the sixth inning, on a bases-loaded and an UTD error, to end the game.

Freshman Heather Foust (8-10) picked up the loss after giving up four earned runs on five hits in 1.1 innings of work. Foust did not record a strikeout and gave up two walks. Freshman Alyssa Fincher tossed the final 4.2 innings, giving up six runs, five earned, on nine hits with a strikeout and five walks. Norum and Knowles both ended the game 2-for-2 with a run scored while Stephens was 1-for-2 with two RBI.

GAME 2 - ETBU 7, UTD 3 (BOX SCORE)
The Tigers came out swinging in the nightcap and never looked back as ETBU completed the sweep with a 7-3 win over UTD.

The Comets looked to threaten to score early, putting runners on second and third with just one out, but could not dent the scoreboard. ETBU took advantage of the situation in the bottom of the frame, however, as the Tigers scored four runs on four hits and a sacrifice bunt to take control of the second game, 4-0. ETBU then added three more runs in the second inning, using five hits, to extend its lead to 7-0.

UTD started its scoring in the top of the third when junior Kayla Moore opened the frame reaching on a Tiger error and later came home on an RBI single by senior Makesa Richey. But, the Comets would leave a pair of runners on base and were not able to make a bigger dent into the ETBU lead.

The Comets would add another run in the fifth when Richey blasted a one-out, solo home run to trim the ETBU lead back to five runs. It was Richey's third long ball of the season. UTD added one final run in the top of the seventh when sophomore Stephanie Harris drew a two-out walk and then scored from first on a Richey single followed by a Tiger error.

Fincher (6-6) would start the game, but would give up four earned runs without recording an out in the bottom of the first before giving way to Foust. Foust would complete the first and toss the next three innings before Fincher re-entered the game to started the bottom of the fifth.  Fincher ended the game giving up four earned runs on five hits in 2.0 total innings. Foust tossed 4.0 innings, giving up three runs, two of which were earned, on five hits. Richey ended the game 3-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.

The Comets return to action this weekend as they host Mississippi College for four games at the UTD Softball Field. The two teams will play a 2 p.m. doubleheader Friday and a noon twin bill Saturday.