IRVING, Texas – Behind one of their best days at the plate in recent years, the Capital University baseball team defeated the University of Dallas by a score of 16-6. 

With 21 hits today – in a seven-inning run rule win – the Comets slugged out their most hits in a game since they hit 23 times vs. Marietta College in April of 2016. 

Leading the lines today, Brandon Barnette had a team-best four hits, while Brendan Stinson, Cole Callaghan, Logan White, Ryne McKinney, and Hunter Wilson collected three hits each. Ben Stevens and Connor Feeney accounted for the other two hits. 

Kyle Bowles started on the mound for Capital and earned the win. He lasted five innings and surrendered just four hits and four walks. He also struck out three Dallas hitters. Aaron Olech came on in relief to finish out the final two innings where he allowed just three hits while striking out one. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Capital (3-4) got ahead in the top of the first on Ben Stevens' RBI single to right field, which plated Cole Callaghan. With multiple runners on, the Comets had a rare instance of stranding men on base, failing to add anything on in the first. 

Dallas scored two in the bottom of the first, but Capital responded with a three-run second inning. Brendan Stinson singled to center field, scoring Hunter Wilson and Connor Feeney on the play. A couple of batters later, an RBI groundout from Logan White scored Stinson from third. 

After another Dallas tally, Capital opened up the game through the top of the third, fourth and fifth innings. In the third, Hunter Wilson singled home Brandon Barnette and an error by the Dallas pitcher allowed Connor Feeney to score later in the inning. In the fourth, Cap added six runs to the scoreboard. Ryne McKinney got the party started with a two-RBI double to left that scored Logan White and Cole Callaghan. A passed ball then allowed Ben Stevens to score before Brandon Barnette singled home McKinney. Soon after, Barnette scored on a sac fly from Josh Sagredo. Before the inning was over, Brendan Stinson singled to right field, scoring Hunter Wilson. 

Ahead 12-3, Capital added another two runs in the top half of the fifth. Brandon Barnette smacked a double to left center that enabled McKinney and White to score, giving Barnette his second and third RBIs in the game. 

Dallas briefly threatened with a pair of consolation runs through the fifth and sixth, but they would prove to be consolation as Capital scored two more in the seventh. Connor Feeney hit a sac fly that scored McKinney and Hunter Wilson collected an RBI single to left center that scored Barnette. 

Dallas tacked on another consolation in the bottom of the seventh, but it would mean little as the Comets finished off the run-rule win, 16-6. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Brandon Barnette had a career day at the plate, collecting a career-high four hits and collecting three RBIs. His previous high in RBIs was a four-RBI performance his sophomore year. 

Kyle Bowles collected his first career win in his first career start on the pitcher's mound.

Ryne McKinney has put together a solid start to his freshman campaign from the plate. Through six games played, McKinney is batting .391 with nine hits – four of which have come in the form of a double and one as a home run. He's also third on the team with six RBIs. 

UP NEXT
Capital will look to start up a winning streak as they go for two-in-a-row with a nightcap tomorrow evening at Austin College. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CST (7 p.m. EST).