Box Score Mayville, N.D. The Comets Baseball team opened their fall schedule hosting their long-time rivals Valley City State. This was also the debut of Billy Tomblin as head coach. Unfortunately, the Vikings spoiled the day by holding off Mayville State 5-3.

The Comets struck first in the bottom of the 2^nd inning using small ball. Two HBP, a stolen base and a single brought Riley Rankin home to make the score 1-0. That score held until the top of the fifth when the Vikings scored five runs off two pitchers to take a 5-1 lead.

"I thought we played very well defensively, one of the cleanest games we have had in a while. We had some guys out of their normal position and they did a great job adjusting," said head coach Billy Tomblin.

Mayville State chipped away at the deficit in the bottom of the seventh, when Marcus Hughes singled in Anthony Villanueva to cut the lead to three at 5-2. The Comets bullpen kept the Vikings off the scoreboard the rest of the game.

The Comets put on their rally caps in the bottom of the ninth, with Chris Shopbell singling in Hughes to bring the score to 5-3. With the tying run at the plate, Valley City managed to get two more outs and the win.

With only two weeks under their belt, Tomblin said, "Hitting is tough, it takes time to get in the swing of things. I think we have some good bats who will come around as we continue to play."

Hughes paced the Comet offense going 3-5 with a double, RBI, run and three stolen bases. Rankin coaxed two walks and scored a run.

Connor Cory threw three no-hit innings to open the game and struck out three Vikings. Gregor Farquharson also punched out three batters in two innings of work.

Coach Tomblin also added, "Hats off to Hunter Magnuson, he pitched very well for Valley and didn't make it easy on us."

"It's early, we have a lot to work on but this game is a marathon not a sprint. We will get back to work tomorrow and look to clean things up before we play Jamestown," added Tomblin.

The loss puts the Comets record at 0-1. Mayville State will travel to Jamestown on September 18th for a doubleheader against the Jimmies.