MARSHALL, Texas - The UT Dallas baseball team opened its American Southwest Conference Championship Tournament with a 6-4 win over Hardin-Simmons at Woods Field Friday.
With the victory, the Comets (29-12) advance to Saturday's 11 a.m. Semifinal against Concordia Texas. The winner of that game will move on to Sunday's championship game, with the loser going to an elimination contest later Saturday.
First baseman
Zach Landry blasted a two-run home run in the bottom of the first to give UTD an early lead. They went up 5-0 with three runs on two hits, two walks and an error in the third.
Dylan Bivins came up with an RBI-single in the inning.
An error in the top of the fifth plus two hits led to four unearned runs for the Cowboys (15-25). Raylan Vaughan recorded a RBI-double followed by a two-run single from Jacob Hollingsworth.
The final run of the game came in the sixth when catcher
Nico Fernandez singled for the Comets with two outs. He moved to third on a base by
Lucas Rexin then scored on a wild pitch.
UTD starter
Ryan Vera (6-3) earned the win, going seven innings with three strikeouts, two walks, six hits and four unearned runs allowed.
Ben Price picked up his fourth save of the year with three strikeouts and two hits allowed in the final two scoreless frames.
HSU outhit UTD 8-7, but the Comets earned more walks, 5-2.
UT Dallas Notes
- Vera added to his career school records, breaking the mark for most innings throw with 277.1. He also leads with 24 wins, 76 appearances and 43 games started.
- Price leads the team with four saves.
- Landry's home run was his third of the season.
- Senior right fielder
Luke Finn walked and scored twice.
- Second baseman
Albert Garza was 2-for-4 with a run scored and he stole his 15th base of the year.
- Rexin was also 2-for-4.
Hardin-Simmons Notes
- Wyatt Tumlinson (3-9) took the loss, going 5.2 innings and allowing five hits, four earned runs, three walks and three strikeouts.
- Hollingsworth drove in two runs with his base hit.
- Second baseman Gannon Azios was 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.
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