RICHARDSON, TX (03.25.22) - The 5th-ranked UT Dallas baseball team, one of the hottest hitting squads in the American Southwest Conference, could not find an answer Friday against a pair of McMurry University pitchers, falling 3-0 in the opening game of a weekend ASC series.

The Comets (17-4, 10-3 ASC) managed just four hits against the War Hawks (9-13, 6-10 ASC), all in the first three innings. UTD stranded eight baserunners along the way - including seven in scoring position - against McMurry starter Derek Hostas (W, 3-3), who threw the first six innings. War Hawk reliever Travis Beauchamp was even more stingy, mowing down the final nine UTD hitters he faced to pick up his first save of the season.

UTD wasted a strong start from pitcher Dylan Hugley (2-1), who was tagged with the loss after giving up a single run in a six-inning start.

The Comets actually threatened to take a lead in their first two innings when two of their first three hits went for extra bases, but each inning ended with a fly ball out. The War Hawks, who themselves left 11 runners aboard, broke the 0-0 tie in the top of the 3rd with a three-hit inning. UTD then got its final hit in their half of the 3rd when Ramon Garza (2-for-4) doubled, but was stranded at third base for the second time in the game. UTD threatened only one more time when the War Hawks contributed a pair of error in the 4th. But again, a strikeout ended the threat.

McMurry added a pair of insurance runs in the 7th with a two-out double that brought home a pair.

The two teams wrap up the series Saturday with a noon doubleheader.