MARSHALL, TX (05.13.17) - The best season in UT Dallas softball history came to a close Saturday afternoon as the No. 6-ranked Comets dropped a 5-3 decision to No. 10-ranked East Texas Baptist in the NCAA Division III National Tournament, held at Taylor Field on the campus of ETBU.

TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
POST-GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
PHOTO GALLERY

The Comets ended the historic season with a 36-10 overall mark, winning the squad's first-ever American Southwest Conference championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the program's 16-year history. Saturday's loss to ETBU was the Comets' second of the weekend, falling to No. 17 Whitworth Friday by the same 5-3 score.

"We were a true family this year," said second year head coach Rich Wieligman in the post-game press conference. "I was always impressed on how they took care of things on and off the field and I thank our senior class for the leadership they provided."

Host ETBU (37-8) opened the scoring with a single run in the top of the second inning before Comet freshman Jessica Vlasek blasted a three-run home run in the bottom of the 3rd, her ninth of the season. However, Vlasek's deep ball over the right field fence, scoring Melissa Livermore and Hope Griffith, would be the only offense mustered by the Comets.

The Tigers added a tally in the 4th to draw within a run and regained the lead with three runs in the 5th, including a two-run homer by Jayme Perez.

Livermore finished the game 2-for-4 with a run scored as she collected her 100th career stolen base with a swipe of second base in the 4th. Griffith was 2-for-3 with a run scored while Vlasek was 1-for-2 with three RBI.

Comet starter Allie Stephens (13-5) suffered the loss, giving up five runs on six hits with one strike out in 5.0 innings of work. Sara Davison made her second appearance of the weekend, tossing two scoreless frames, giving up two hits.