RICHARDSON, TX (05.03.16) - For the eighth consecutive season and 13th time in the past 14 years, the UT Dallas baseball team is heading to the American Southwest Conference Championship Tournament. The Comets will serve as the event's No. 8 seed this weekend as they open play Friday at 7 p.m. at top-seeded Concordia Texas.

FULL ASC RELEASE
"BLUE" BRACKET TOURNAMENT CENTRAL

For the first time in conference history, the ASC is playing two four-team tournament with the two remaining teams playing a best-of-three series (aka "Gold" bracket) the following weekend for the league's title and automatic berth into the NCAA Division III National Tournament. No. 1 seed Concordia Texas will host the "Blue" bracket while second-seeded East Texas Baptist will host the "Red" bracket this weekend. The "Gold" bracket is slated for May 13-14 at the highest remaining seed.

The Comets enter the postseason with a 21-18 overall record and finished in eighth place in the ASC regular-season standings with a 10-14 mark. A five-time tournament runner-up over the years, UTD is looking for its first-ever ASC title, starting Friday. In their previous 12 trips to the event, the Comets are 28-26 all-time with second place finishes in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2011 and 2015. UTD's 13th appearance in the tournament matches the ASC record, joining former member Mississippi College as the only program to qualify for 13 tournaments since the event began in 1997. The Comets' 28 wins in the event is the most by any school.

Sophomore outfielder Josh Covey leads the Comets at the plate with a .452 average and a .525 on-base percentage, ranked first and second in the ASC, respectively. Five Comets recorded more than 20 RBI this season led by senior outfielder Haden Johnson with a team-high 26. Covey and senior outfielder David McKenzie lead the team with 47 hits and senior shortstop Jimmy Norris ranks third in the ASC with 25 stolen bases. Norris is also the ASC career leader in stolen bases with 85 swipes in 99 attempts in 129 games. On the mound, senior pitcher Aaron Bach leads the Comets in wins (5), strikeouts (43) and innings pitched (81.0).

Admission for the "Blue" bracket is $10 for adults and $5 students and senior citizens per day. No pets are allowed at the conference tournament per ASC policy within the confines of the facility, except for properly marked and leashed service animals.

2016 ASC Baseball Championship Tournament Series
Blue Bracket | Austin, Texas | Tornado Field | Hosted by Concordia University Texas

Friday, May 6
Game 1: No. 5 LeTourneau vs. No. 4 UT Tyler, 3:00 p.m.
Game 2: No. 1 Concordia Texas vs. No. 8 UT Dallas, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 7
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 1:00 p.m.
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 4:00 p.m.
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 8
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 1:00 p.m.
Game 7: Game 6 teams (if needed), 30 minutes after Game 5
 
Red Bracket | Marshall, Texas | Woods Field | Hosted by East Texas Baptist University

Friday, May 6
Game 1: No. 6 Sul Ross State vs. No. 3 Hardin-Simmons, 3:00 p.m.
Game 2: No. 2 East Texas Baptist vs. No. 7 Howard Payne, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 7
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 1:00 p.m.
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 4:00 p.m.
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 8
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 1:00 p.m.
Game 7: Game 6 teams (if needed), 30 minutes after Game 5