RICHARDSON, Texas - The UT Dallas softball team opened the 2024 season with double-header split against Ottawa (Kan.) at UTD Softball Field Saturday.

The visiting Braves (9-3) took the first game 2-1, but the Comets (1-1) won the nightcap 5-3.

Game 1
The opener remained scoreless until the top of the fifth when left fielder Macey Morris singled on a bunt, stole second, reached third on an error and crossed the plate on a single from Addison Spencer.

UTD tied it in the bottom of the sixth when junior center fielder Cole Johnson led off with a walk and later scored from third on a ground ball off the bat of catcher Celeste Soliz.

Spencer drove in the go-ahead run for Ottawa in the top of the seventh after a leadoff walk and a steal of second. The Comets threatened in the bottom of the inning, loading ther bases with two outs, but reliever Lorelei Gilbert got out of the jam with a strikeout to end the game.

Ashlynn Mercer (5-0) picked up the win, allowing seven hits, one run and three walks with one strikeout over six innings. Gilbert earned her second save of the year.

UTD starter Marisa Mejia went four innings and struck out four while allowing five hits. Freshman Allison Koch took the loss, allowing one earned run, three hits and a walk while fanning five in three innings.

Game 2 
The Comets struck in the bottom of the first when senior designated player Alexia Mullen led off with an infield single and stole second and scored on a double to right center from right fielder Claire Pollack. They went up 3-0 in the third when Mullen once again led off, stole second and scored on a Pollack sacrifice fly. Third baseman Addison Caddell followed Mullen with a base hit and was lifted for pinch runner Kailey Gonzales, who proceeded to steal a base and score on a passed ball.

A Spencer sac fly and two-run single by Katie Ennenking tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the fifth. UTD regained the lead in the bottom of the frame. Mullen started with a bunt single and another steal then Caddell reached first on an air. With one out, freshman first baseman Cadence Hernandez walked to load the bases. Johnson plated Mullen with a hit through the left side and freshman Julia Guerrero drove in Caddell on a sac fly to center.

Koch (1-1) earned the victory with four strikeouts and only allowing one hit and one walk in 2.2 frames of relief. McKenzie Cutbirth struck out one and allowed three hits and a walk in four innings. Takiya Hill (4-2) took the loss for Ottawa.

UT Dallas Notes
- Mullen went 6-for-7 with three runs and five stolen bases on the day. 
- Pollack had a double and rove in two.
- Johnson and Hernandez also had two hits and a RBI.
- Caddell recorded two hits and scored.
- Hoffman had the other extra base hit with a double.

Ottawa Notes
- Spencer went 4-for-4 with two RBI in game one and drove in another run in game two.
- Shortstop Megan Kennedy had two hits and a sac bunt on the day.
- Thre Braves are ranked #17 in NAIA.

Up Next
UTD will host #15 Texas Lutheran in a double-header on Saturday, February 24 at noon.