Comets Stumble Out of Gate In East Play

UTD Drops 3 One-Run Games To Louisiana College To Open Conference

PINEVILLE, LA - The UTD baseball team, which has been one of the top teams in the American Southwest Conference East Division since 2002, opened its 2008 conference schedule this weekend by falling in three straight one-run losses to Louisiana College.

The Comets were held to just five hits in a 3-2 loss in the opener, then gave up two late runs in an 11-inning, 5-4 loss in the second game of a Saturday doubleheader. UTD then lost the series finale in an offensive shootout Sunday afternoon, falling 12-11.

The sweep drops UTD to 11-6 overall, and 0-3 in ASC East Division play. Louisiana College improved to 9-7, 3-0.

GAME 1: LOUISIANA COL. 3, UTD 2 (Boxscore)

The Comets wasted senior Mark Cox's bid to go 4-0 by only managing five hits against LC ace Craig Naquin. Cox limited the Wildcats to just five, as well, but gave up three of them plus a walk in one inning as LC loaded the bases and scored its game-winning runs on a bases-clearing double. The Comets had a chance to tie and possibly take the lead in the sixth when they loaded the bases on a Jared Smith double, an error and a walk. Chris Alfano then singled, driving in the second UTD run, but Tim Scott was thrown out at home and Josh McDonald ended the inning stranded at third.

GAME 2: LC 5, UTD 4 (Boxscore)

UTD starter Drew Waggoner was the hardluck victim this time as he scattered 6 hits over a seven-inning start, but the Comet relief staff gave up a game-tying homerun in the bottom of the ninth, then a game-winning bases-loaded walk in the 11th. The UTD offense missed golden opportunities to win the game in regulation. With the scored tied in the 7th, UTD loaded up the bases with one out, but could not get anyone home. Then in the 8th, UTD got two hits to start the inning, but had a runner tagged out at the plate on an insuing play. Still with one out and two runners on, the Comets ended the inning with a popup and groundout.

GAME 3: LC 12, UTD 11 (Boxscore)

In the series finale, the remainder of the UTD pitching staff simply couldn't take advantage of the fortune that the Comet hitters were providing. UTD scored three runs in the 1st, 2nd and fourth innings, but each time let the Wildcats match them in the bottom of the frame. There were 11 combined extra-base hits in the game, including a double and homerun from Smith, who was 3-for-5 with 5 RBI.