A dominant start
Dean (1-0) was the story of the night, throwing seven scoreless innings in what stands as the longest outing by a Comets starting pitcher in the young 2026 season. The southpaw earned his first win of the campaign by scattering three hits and striking out four over 105 pitches. His four strikeouts are also a season high.
Despite walking four, Dean consistently worked out of foul trouble to keep the high-powered Rattlers offense off the board. He lowered his ERA to 3.38 this season.
The bullpen kept the out with two scoreless relief frames:
Gavin Hickman: Pitched the eighth inning, allowing one hit and one walk while using 27 pitches to navigate the frame.
Tag Pacot: Continued his lights-out start to the season by retiring the side in the ninth, recording one strikeout on 19 pitches. Balanced attack at the plate
The Comets’ offense broke through in the fourth inning, posting double-digit hits for the fifth time this season.
Second baseman Albert Garza led the effort, finishing 3-for-5 with an RBI – the only Comet to record a three-hit game.
Several other Comets produced multi-hit performances:
Kole Kinnison (DH): 2-for-5 with a double.
Chris Benavidez (LF): 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored.
Nico Fernandez (C): 2-for-4 with an RBI, a walk and a run scored.
Gavin Barker (3B): 2-for-4 on the night.
Right fielder Trent McCown, who had a two-homer performance in the finale of the previous series, finished 0-for-4 but managed to cross the plate for one run.
Brandon Vasquez (0-1) was charged with the loss for the Rattlers.
Lone star position
With the win, UT Dallas keeps pace at the top of the Lone Star Conference. Only UT Tyler (7-1) currently has a better record in the standings.
The Comets and Rattlers return to Dickson Stadium tomorrow for a scheduled doubleheader, with the four-game series concluding Sunday.
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