FORT MYERS, Fla. - The UT Dallas baseball team won its second contest at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic Saturday, defeating Augustana (Ill.) 21-10 in eight innings.

The Comets improve to 9-0 on the year and tied the program record with their fourth 20-run performance of the season.

They outhit the Vikings (3-4) 14-12 overall and drew 11 walks compared to three for Augustana. 

UTD opened the game with five runs in the top of the first. First baseman Trent McCown blasted his sixth home run of the year, a two-run shot. 

Third baseman Efren Munoz drove in Kole Kinnison and Austin Wallace with a base hit in the second to put the Comets up 7-0. They tacked on four more runs in the third - including a two-run double off the bat of junior catcher Nico Fernandez.

The Vikings started to rally with four runs in the bottom of the third, two in the fourth and three in the fifth to cut the deficit to 11-9. UTD put the game out of the reach with six runs on three hits and four errors in the sixth. Center fielder Austin Wallace recorded a two-run triple. 

After another run in the seventh, the Comets scored the final three in the top of the eighth. Kaileb Hackaman hit a solo homer in the bottom of the frame for the final 21-10 tally. 

Alex Merkel (2-0) threw 3.1 innings of relief to earn the victory on the mound. Starter Adam Bendoraitis (0-2) last just two-thirds of an inning for the Vikings.

UT Dallas Notes
- Munoz drove in four runs, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored, a walk and a sacrifice fly. He leads the Comets with a 12-game hitting streak dating back to last season.
- Fernandez went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two runs, three RBI and a walk. He also threw out the only baserunner trying to steal. 
- McCown was 2-for-4 with four runs score, three RBI, a double and the home run. He leads the team with 20 runs scored this season.
- Kinnison was 2-for-3 with four runs scored, a RBI, two walks, a double and sac fly.
- Soto drove in three runs, scored twice and stole a base.
- Merkel struck out two and allowed two hits, one run and two walks.

Augustana Notes
- Hackman was 2-for-5 with three RBI, two runs scored, a double and a home run.
- Second baseman Alec McGinnis went 2-for-3 with three runs scored. 
- Riley Hendren drove in a pair and was 2-for-3 with a triple and a walk.
- Ethan Sosnowski was 2-for-4 with a run scored and RBI.

Up Next
UTD will wrap up their trip to the Sunshine State with a double-header against Alfred State beginning at 8 a.m. CT Sunday morning.