JACKSON, Miss. - UT Dallas cooled off the Blazers bats in a doubleheader sweep on Saturday afternoon, as the 10th ranked team in NCAA Division III took the three-game series with the 3-1 and 14-4 victories.
In game one, the Comets struck first with two single runs in the third and fourth inning. In the sixth, Texas-Dallas earned a key insurance run to lead, 3-0.
BU would tack on a run in the bottom half of the sixth thanks to a
Kreg Garner RBI single, scoring
Terrell Hodges.
However, the Blazers were unable to figure out Ruben Renteria (7-0) who was as good as advertised for UTD. Belhaven was held hitless for 3.1 innings to start the game.
Renteria earned his fourth complete game of the season with six strikeouts in the win. He came into the contest with an ERA of 1.67. Renteria allowed five hits, two walks and one earned run.
Landon Boyd (2-2) pitched effectively for the Blazers, allowing three earned runs and eight hits in six innings for the quality start, while fanning two.
In the second game, the Comets' bats came to life, posting a 9-0 lead after two innings thanks to a seven-run frame in the second. UTD (22-7, 11-4) led 11-0 through five innings.
The Blazers (18-14, 8-10) got on the board in the sixth on a
Stephen Sexton two-run home run, scoring Garner who led off the inning with a double.
In the seventh, Belhaven added two more runs to cut the deficit down to seven runs.
Daniel Ammirati brought
JG Miley home on a fielder's choice, while Garner brought home Hodges for the second run of the inning.
However, the Comets would put the contest back in a run-rule situation with a three spot in the eighth for the 14-4 win.
Hunter Sanford (0-2) went 2.1 innings to start for the Blazers, but he allowed five earned runs on five hits.
Cole Hanson (3-1) earned the win for UT Dallas, striking out four and allowing one hit in five shutout innings.
The Blazers will look to bounce back on Wednesday, as the final four games of the 2017 home schedule will begin with a non-conference matchup against Rust College. First pitch from Smith-Wills Stadium is scheduled for 4 p.m.
