ABILENE, TX (02.21.20) - Two late runs led to a 7-5 road loss by the UT Dallas softball team to Hardin-Simmons Friday night as the Comets opened American Southwest Conference play.

The Comets (now 2-7, 0-1 ASC) opened the scoring and extended their lead to 4-1 before host HSU rallied back twice to kick off the three-game weekend set. The two teams will return to the field at 12 p.m. for a doubleheader to complete the series.

UTD snagged a 1-0 lead in the top of the 2nd on a Jessica Vlasek ground ball, but the Cowgirls answered in the bottom of the 3rd to knot the game. Elizabeth Brann and Emily Schroeder each went yard with solo shots in the 4th before Ashley Ambrosy tacked on an RBI single later in the frame to lift the Comets to a 4-1 cushion.

The Cowgirls (3-6,1-0 ASC) countered, however, with a four-run 4th to take their first lead of contest, 5-4, heading to the 5th. After a scoreless 5th, the Comets re-tied the game in the top of the 6th on an RBI double by Gabi Langille, scoring Vlasek. UTD would collect four hits in the 6th inning, but left left a pair of runners on base preventing a big inning. HSU then loaded the bases in the the bottom of the 6th without recording an out and would plate two runs to again rally. 

Nicole Peters opened the Comets' 7th with a single to center and moved over to second base on a Brann ground out. But, the Comets would strand Peters at second after two more ground outs.

The Comets tallied 12 hits in the loss with Schroeder leading the way with a 3-for-4 performance. Ambrosy finished 2-for-3 and Peters was 2-for-4.