TUCSON, AZ (02.07.19) - The UT Dallas baseball team scored five runs in the top of the 1st inning but could not add any more offense as the Comets were handed an 8-5 loss to California Lutheran to open the Cactus Classic and the 2019 season.

The Comets (0-1) jumped to a big lead after stroking four hits in the opening frame, giving freshman starter Orion Drymond a comfortable lead in his collegiate debut. However, the Kingsmen answered with two runs in the bottom of the 1st and three more in the 3rd to knot the game, 5-5. CLU (1-0) plated the go-ahead run in the bottom of the 4th and tacked on two more runs in the 6th to complete the scoring.

After back-to-back singles by newcomers Austin Adams and Jacob Perry to lead off the game, Luke Richter posted the Comets' first runs off the season with a two-run double. UTD added a run on a wild pitch, another on a Kingsmen error and completed the five-run first with an RBI single by Garrett Uhl.

Drymond lasted just 2.1 innings, giving up five runs on six hits with three walks as one of six Comets to take the mound. Perry and Matt Mikusek each finished the game 2-for-4.

The Comets continue the Cactus Classic Friday with an 12 p.m. game against Whitman.