Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Dickinson, N.D. - The Comets Baseball team wrapped up their fall schedule with a trip out west to Dickinson State taking on the Blue Hawks. Mayville State used some big innings and timely pitching to earn Coach Tomblin his first two wins of his collegiate head coaching career in a doubleheader sweep.

"The biggest difference between today and the previous five games was that we competed," said head coach Billy Tomblin. "We were relentless in every aspect of the game and found ways to get it done - that is something we have not done this fall and it was awesome to see."

Starting off in game one, the Blue Hawks got on the board in the second inning, sending nine men to the plate and scoring five two-out runs. This put the Comets into an early hole at 5-0.

But Mayville State's offense exploded in the top of the third, starting with consecutive walks to Marcus Hughes and Riley Rankin. Chris Shopbell hit a single to center scoring Hughes. Zachary Evanochko then singled to bring in Rankin. Michael Feralio then stepped to the plate and blasted a three-run homer to tie the game at 5 apiece.

Dickinson State broke the tie in the bottom of the third with a leadoff homer and three consecutive singles, making the score 7-5 Blue Hawks.

In the top of the fifth inning, Rankin singled and Shopbell walked. Evanochko ripped a pitch over the right field wall for another three-run homer for the Comets. Feralio followed with a double and Teigen Parenteau reached on an error which scored Feralio. Parenteau would come in to score on a single by Anthony Villanueva and give the Comets a 10-7 advantage.

Gunner Thompson took care of the rest, pitching three innings allowing only one hit and no runs, and the Comets claimed the victory 10-7.

The top of the order did most of the damage, with Evanochko and Feralio combining for seven RBI. Shopbell collected two runs and two walks, Villaneuva went 2 for 3 with an RBI and Hughes swiped two bases. On the pitching side Thompson gets the win with his three innings of work, which also included three strikeouts.

Game 2 started with the bats on fire for Mayville State. Hughes walked followed by Rankin getting hit by a pitch. Shopbell rifled a double to left scoring Hughes and Feralio singled, loading the bases. Avery Kirkup emptied the bases with a GRAND SLAM to make the score 6-0 before the Blue Hawks had an at bat.

Dickinson chopped into that lead in their half of the inning, hitting a three run homer to cut the lead in half 6-3. The Comets responded in the top of the third as Shopbell tagged another double to left, scoring Villanueva. After Evanochko walked, Feralio cracked a double to center and brought in Shopbell and Rankin. A wild pitch then allowed Evanochko to score. That outburst boosted the Comets lead up to seven at 10-3.

The Blue Hawks pushed across runs in the bottom of the third and fourth innings to chip away at the lead. In the top of the fifth, a Villanueva single to center brought in Tanner Boyle to tack another run on the board. This run proved vital as Dickinson State rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning to score three runs, but the tying run was left stranded at third base as the Comets completed the sweep 11-10.

Tomblin added, "I am very, very happy with what I saw today. It's been a tough month for the guys - I couldn't be happier for them with how they responded today."

Feralio starred at the plate once again, going 3 for 5 with three more RBI and Kirkup added four RBI. The Comets coaxed 10 walks out of the Blue
Hawk pitching staff, as Parenteau accounted for four of those.

Heading into the offseason to prepare for spring Tomblin said, "We have a lot to work on before we get to the spring but most importantly we need to continue to foster the mentality and approach that is Comets Baseball."

The sweep gives the Comets a 2-5 record for the fall. Mayville State finishes their fall schedule and will start preparing for the spring.