BELTON, Texas - The UT Dallas softball team opened the American Southwest Conference Championship Tournament with a 3-2 loss to LeTourneau at Dee Dillon Field Thursday morning.

The Comets (24-17) tried to overcome a 3-0 deficit in the top of the seventh, plating two runs before the YellowJackets (27-14) escaped with the win.

Sarah Lewis led off with a single to left and was pinch ran for by Alexia Mullen, who reached third on a double from shortstop Erin Ledesma. Riley Westmoreland followed with a sacrifice fly, driving in Mullen for UTD's first run. Second baseman Jordan Evans then drove in Ledesma with a base hit. LETU's Murphy Williams entered the game, induced a fly ball, then loaded the bases by issuing a pair of walks. She ended the game with a ground ball to second for Williams' first save of the season.

The YellowJackets took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Kylie Grisham led off with a double, was bunted to second and scored on a Kendra Hendry double to center. Williams made the game 3-0 in the sixth with a two-run homer over the fence in left center.

UT Dallas Notes
- Emilie Hoelscher (13-9) allowed five hits, three runs and struck out five.
- The Comets pitching staff broke the school record for most strikeouts in a season, now at 248 on the year.
- Megan Cavazos went 2-for-3 with a double.
- Lewis was 2-for-3 as well.
- Ledesma recorded the double  and scored.
- Westmoreland had the sacrifice fly and was hit by a pitch.

LeTourneau Notes
- Hailee Leger (10-7), earned the win, allowing seven hits, two runs and one walk with three strikeouts over 6.1 innings.
- Grisham went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a double.
- Williams drove in two runs with the home run and earned the save.
- Alexa Neilon also had a hit.

Up Next
UT Dallas will play in an elimination game at 12:30 Friday. They will face the loser of host and top seed Mary Hardin-Baylor and McMurry.