Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 FARMERS BRANCH, TX (04.25.13) - The 2013 season for the UT Dallas softball team came to an abrupt end Thursday afternoon as the Comets suffered two losses on the opening day of the American Southwest Conference Tournament, played at Oran Good Park.

The Comets (now 23-18-1) opened the event with a 7-1 loss to ASC West champion Texas Lutheran and were eliminated from the tournament a few hours later with a 7-6 loss to Howard Payne.

GAME 1 - TLU 7, UTD 1

The Bulldogs had many more scoring chances early in the game, leaving six runners on base through three innings before plating a pair of runs in the bottom of the 4th to grab a 2-0 lead. TLU tacked on two more runs in the 5th and three final runs in the 6th before the Comets would avoid the shutout with a run in the top of the 7th.

TLU opened the scoring in the 4th on a double steal followed by a throwing error, allowing Kayla McMillan to score the first run of the game. The Bulldogs used a single by Brittany Upton three batters later to take a 2-0 lead. In the 5th, TLU lead-off hitter Ashley Jacobsen plated a pair of runs with a double down the right-field line. The Bulldogs scored their final three runs in the 6th with five hits, leaving runners on second and third in an attempt to shorten the game due to run rule.

The Comets picked up a hit in each of the first three innings before going down in order in the 4th, 5th and 6th frames. TLU pitcher Megan Carmichael retired 10 straight UTD batters before Avery McHugh opened the top of the 7th with a double to left. After a single by Rachel Riley, Hannah Creech plated McHugh with a single up the middle.

Jeni Olbeter (11-9) gave up six earned runs on 14 hits in 5.0 innings of work. Olbeter did not record a strikeout and walked three Bulldogs. Micah Starkey tossed the 6th, giving up a run on three hits. The Comets managed just six hits in the loss, three coming in the final frame, with Stephanie Harris leading the way with a 2-for-3 performance.

GAME 2 - HPU 7, UTD 6

UTD struck first in the top of the 1st when Brittanie Knowles double to right with two outs and then scored on an infield single by McHugh. However, HPU responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame and three more in the 2nd to grab a 5-1 advantage.

The Comets chipped away at the Lady Jacket lead in the top of the 4th as Jonelle Feikis' sac fly to left scored Creech from third, trimming the HPU cushion to three runs, 5-2. UTD then exploded for four runs on four hits and a Lady Jacket error in the top of the 5th.

With runners on first and second, McHugh would slice a single down the right field line to load the bases, setting up a two-run single by Riley, cutting the deficit to just one run, 5-4. Creech then plated McHugh with a sac fly in foul territory and Aly Hudec gave the Comets back a lead, 6-5, with a single to left, scoring Riley.

But, HPU answered again in the bottom of the inning with two runs on four hits and a walk. The Lady Jackets had an opportunity to extend their lead, but left the bases loaded. UTD did not get a base runner in the 6th or 7th.

Megan Aragones (7-7) picked up the loss, giving up seven earned runs on 10 hits in 4.2 innings in the circle. Aragones struck out one and walked seven. Olbeter recorded the final four outs for the Comets with two strikeouts and not allowing a base runner. McHugh was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored while Feikis was 2-for-2.