The Comets were picked 11th in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll, UTD (1-0) showed the grit of an experienced squad as they overcame a late deficit to spoil the Eagles’ home opener.
The final framework
The Comets entered the ninth inning trailing 3-2 and faced possible heartbreak in their season debut. Ugly Kinnison scored the tying run and set up an RBI single to tie UTD. A short stop later Jake Amoroso– who previously recorded the team’s first hit of the year – hit an RBI double to score Kinnison and grab a 4-3 lead.
Right-handed Label package was called to close the door in the bottom of the ninth. And he did just that. Pacot threw 12 pitches and struckout one in a hitless frame, earning his first save of the season.
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On the hill
Junior left-handed David Dean set the tone for the Comets early on. Dean navigated through 76 pitches in four innings, allowing just one run on four hits. His final line included two walks, three strikeouts and one hit batter.
The UTD bullpen saw a revolving door of weapons as Graves tested his depth:
Christian Robb: 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 SO (24 places)
Kasey Kling: 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 SO (15 places)
AJ Ripley: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 SO, 1 WP (17 places)
Gavin Hickman: 1.1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 SO (21 places)
Hickman (1-0) got the win for his scoreless assist, while Oklahoma Christian’s Jason Rickert was tagged with the loss. Collectively, the UTD pitching staff gave up only four walks while recording ten strikeouts.
Seasonal outlook
Fourteen players from last year’s UT selection returned this season. Last season they posted a strong 32-6 record and a program-best winning percentage of .842.
Although they are not eligible for the postseason, the Comets are not lacking in motivation; they have their sights set on a regular-season conference title and winning the individual LSC awards during this 50-game stretch.
Player of the Game: Jake Amoroso
Short stop Jake Amoroso set the tone early, singled in the second inning for the Comets’ first hit of the season. But his greatest contribution came when the pressure was highest. With the score tied at 3-3 in the ninth, Amoroso hit a go-ahead RBI double to make it 4-3.
He finished 2-for-5 with an RBI. Albert Garza and Kole Kinnison also had a two-hit game.
Nico Fernandez provided a spark earlier in the game by driving in a run with an RBI single in the fifth, briefly giving UTD the lead before late-inning drama unfolded.
The Prospect Times congratulates Coach Travis Graves on his first victory as Head Coach.
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