GRAND PRAIRIE, TX (02.12.16) - The UT Dallas baseball team came roaring out of the gate, opening its 2016 campaign with a 17-3 non-conference thumping of Chapman University Friday afternoon at The Ballpark at Grand Prairie.

The Comets (1-0) rode a 17-hit attack, tallying multiple runs in the 4th, 5th and 6th innings on their way to the season-opening win and first victory ever over Chapman (1-3). The Panthers knocked UTD out of the NCAA West Regional Tournament with two wins back in 2007.

It was the largest opening-day win for UTD in program history, improving their opening day record to 10-5.

UTD, the visiting team Friday, took a 4-1 lead in the 2nd inning, then turned a 4-2 advantage into a 16-2 lead with three runs in both the 4th and 5th innings, and a six-run 6th. Aaron Bach (1-0) picked up his first win of the season, tossing 6.0 innings and giving up just two runs on seven hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Senior Brandon George was one of three Comets with three-hit games, driving in three runs . New second baseman Cody Duplechin and centerfielder Josh Covey also each collected three hits. Nick Marti and Jimmy Norris drove in three runs apiece.

George drove in UTD's first run of the season, lacing a first-inning double to put the Comets ahead, 1-0. After Chapman tied the score in the bottom of the 1st, the Comets scored two more in the 2nd on two hits, a walk, hit batter and error.

The offense really came to life in the 4th with two-out RBI hits from Duplechin and George and a bases-loaded hit batter. An error and three more hits made it 10-2 in the 5th inning, then UTD sent 10 batters to the plate in the 6th, adding four hits that included a three-RBI triple down the leftield line from Marti.

David McKenzie scored UTD's final run in the ninth with a one-out triple followed by a wild pitch.

The Comets return to the field Saturday afternoon at 2:30 in Grand Prairie against Cal Lutheran. The opening weekend tournament ends Sunday with a 4 pm matchup against Hendrix.