CLARKSVILLE, AR (04.13.17) - A three-run home run from senior Brittany Perkins in the 5th inning propelled the UT Dallas softball team to a 10-1 win over the University of the Ozarks in the first game of a three-game American Southwest Conference series Thursday afternoon.

The 18th-ranked Comets (27-8, 19-6 ASC) were leading 2-0 going into the final frames when Perkins sent a Hannah Oler pitch over the left center field wall to score Melissa Livermore and Hope Griffith, capping a four-run inning. UTD then added four more insurance runs in the top of the 7th inning to pull away with the one-sided win. The two teams meet in a doubleheader to close out the series Friday at noon.

Senior Lauren McLeod (15-1) went the distance, giving up just a pair of hits and striking out six Eagles (6-26, 4-24 ASC).

Melissa Livermore, Perkins and Heather Griffith each had a pair of hits to lead an 11-hit assault for UTD. Career stolen base leader Livermore also picked up her 36th steal of the season. Perkins drove in two more runs with a triple in the 7th.

The Comets got on the board first in the 2nd inning with a pair of hits and an Ozarks error. A Stefanie Polderman single moved Samantha Halliburton to third after a leadoff HBP. Gilbert then delivered a double down the line, scoring Halliburton and Polderman to go up, 2-0.

Ravin Wilson started the four-run 5th with a one-out single and stole second base. Livermore reached on a bunt single and stole second base. A Griffith single then brought home Wilson before Perkins picked up her fifth home run of the season to cap the scoring.

in the 7th, Wilson, Livermore and Griffith loaded the bases on a walk, single and error, setting the stage for the bases-clearing Perkins triple to right center. Sarah Morales then singled up the middle to drive home Perkins,