BELTON, TX (03.13.17) - The UT Dallas softball team used a dramatic 7th inning home run to earn a 7-6 win over Mary Hardin-Baylor to open an American Southwest Conference doubleheader Monday afternoon, but dropped the series finale to the Cru, 6-1.

The Comets (18-4, 10-2 ASC) have won all four ASC series so far this season and will have their toughest test yet this weekend as they host No. 3-ranked East Texas Baptist, Friday and Saturday. The two teams will play a single game Friday at 4 p.m. before squaring off in a 12 p.m. doubleheader Saturday at the UTD Softball Field.

GAME 1 - UTD 7, UMHB 6
Senior Brittany Perkins belted her second career grand slam home run in the top of the 7th to propel the Comets to a 7-6 win over Mary Hardin-Baylor to open the twin bill Monday afternoon.

Down 6-3 heading to the 7th, the Comets loaded the bases with back-to-back hit batters followed by a UMHB fielding error. Then with one out, Perkins lifted the seventh-ever grand slam in program history deep over the centerfield wall to give UTD the one-run advantage. The host Cru threatened in the bottom of the frame, putting two runners on base, but left the game-tying run at second base.

After giving up a lone run in the bottom of the 1st, the Comets took their first lead of the game in the top of the 3rd thanks to a two-run homer by Hope Griffith. UTD added an RBI single by Samantha Halliburton in the inning to pull ahead, 3-1. However, UMHB answered with three runs in the bottom of the 3rd and two more in the 4th.

Perkins ended the win 3-for-5 from the plate with four RBI and two runs scored while lead-off hitter Melissa Livermore was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and her 27th stolen base of the season. UTD starter Allie Stephens did not factor in the decision, giving up five earned runs on nine hits in 5.0 innings of work. Sara Davison (2-1) earned the victory after two hitless frames, striking out two Cru batters.

GAME 2 - UMHB 6, UTD 1
The Cru plated five runs in the 3rd inning en route to a 6-1 win over UTD to wrap up the three-game weekend series Monday afternoon.

Down 6-0 heading to the 5th, the Comets avoided their second shutout loss of the season when Ravin Wilson scored from first base after a Livermore single followed by a UMHB error. The Comets finished the finale with seven hits with Stefanie Polderman leading the way going 3-for-3. Livermore was 2-for-4 with her NCAA Division III-leading 28th stolen base of the season.

Lauren McLeod (11-1) was handed her first loss of the year as she gave up five runs on six hits with one strikeout in 3.0 innings of work. Davison finished the game by allowing an unearned run on three hits.