MARSHALL, Texas - The UT Dallas baseball team knocked out #2/3 East Texas Baptist on its home turf from the American Southwest Conference Championship Tournament at Woods Field Saturday evening.

With the elimination semifinal win, the Comets (30-13) move on to Sunday's finals against Concordia Texas at 1 p.m. UTD would have to defeat the Tornados twice to capture the fourth league title in program history.

Saturday's game was a scoreless pitcher's duel for the first six innings. The Comets broke through against the Tigers (35-8) in the top of the seventh. Sophomore catcher Nico Fernandez led off with a double and scored after a Lucas Rexin sacrifice bunt that was thrown away. Two batters later, shortstop Efren Munzo homered to make the game 3-0. 

Left fielder Connor Massmini reached second on an error to lead off ETBU's eighth. A ground ball sent him to third and then scored on sac fly from Hunter Rumachik to make the game 3-2.

With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Carson Wilson walked and was pinch ran for by Michael Gallegos. Nick Massirini then singled to put two runners on for the Tigers. Comet closer Ben Price got Jacob Evangelista to fly out to center for the second out, but Dylan Burnaman drove in Gallegos with a single to left to make it a one-run contest. The game ended when Massimin popped up to second.

ETBU outhit UTD 8-5 and both teams drew two walks. The Tigers made three errors, compared to two for the Comets.

UT Dallas Notes
- The Comets have won 30 games for the eighth time in program history, all under head coach Shane Shewmake.
- Sunday will mark the ninth appearance in the ASC Championship game for UTD.
- Senior starter Dylan Hugley (9-2) struck out seven batters, allowing six hits, an unearned run and one walk over eight innings to earn the win.
- Price picked up his fifth save of the year and second of the tournament.
- Munoz' home run was the second of the season for the shortstop.
- Albert Garza was 2-for-4 with a double.
- Fernandez finished with the double, a walk and a run scored.

East Texas Baptist Notes
- Jagger Neely (9-3) went 6.2 innings, allowing four hits, two earned runs, a walk and six strikeouts.
- Brayden Hodges struck out one in a perfect ninth inning.
- Burnaman was 2-for-5 with a double and RBI.
- Massarini went 2-for-4.
- Rumachik and Cameron French also recorded doubles.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by UT Dallas Baseball (@utdbaseball)