RICHARDSON, TX (02.12.19) - The UT Dallas softball team belted three home runs as part of a a 17-hit barrage as the Comets blasted Austin College, 15-3, Tuesday afternoon in the squad's 2019 season opener.

After having four games this past weekend canceled due to weather, the Comets picked up local foe Austin College for a midweek twin bill, but the second game of the day was called due to darkness. UTD was leading the 'Roos, 9-1, and still batting in the bottom of the 1st when the game was called.

The visiting 'Roos (0-5) opened the gamed with two runs in the top of the 1st to take an early lead, but UD answered with a three-run bottom half to take a 3-2 lead. AC evened the game with a third run in the 2nd before the Comets plated 12 unanswered runs to claim the run-rule victory. UTD scored eight runs in the 3rd and four in the 4th.

Kendra Litchfield went 3-for-3 with five RBI as she ended the game a triple shy of the cycle. Litchfield picked up a single in the 1st, a lead-off homer in the Comets' eight-run 3rd and added a double in the 4th. Litchfield and Nicole Peters would go back-to-back to open the 3rd as the first six Comets to the plate in the inning reached base. Hope Griffith blasted the Comets' final home run of the game, a grand slam with one out in the 4th. Griffith's grand slam was the 10th in UTD softball history and first since the 2017 campaign.

Three-time All-American Melissa Livermore picked up where she left off after leading NCAA Division III in stolen bases last spring. Livermore was 4-for-4 from the lead-off spot with three steals and three runs scored. Griffith finished 2-for-4 with four RBI while Peters was also 2-for-4.

The Comets (1-0) will open American Southwest Conference play this weekend with a three-game set at Mary Hardin-Baylor. The two teams will play a 4 p.m. doubleheader Friday before a 12 p.m. single game Saturday in Belton.