Fueled by discipline, brotherhood and a refusal to quit, UTD Baseball is turning early-season wins into a statement.

 

The Comets entered the 2026 season with momentum, but also with a trace of unpredictability as they transitioned into Division II. Moving up a level in competition and skill can expose weaknesses within a team, but the team has held steadfast with their most recent win against Eastern New Mexico University.

 

Head coach Travis Graves credited the team, saying, “Their work ethic and their ability to blend into the Division II level has certainly shown up and showed out.”

 

Winning the first six of seven games didn’t entirely shock the team. The team’s past experiences reflected in their veteran players, and offseason preparation built a confidence long before the first pitch was thrown. 

 

Sophomore first baseman, Kole Kinnison, said, “We had a lot of confidence coming into this season.”

 

However, an early preseason projection picked UTD to finish only 11th among 14 teams, near the bottom of the conference. That doubt turned into motivation for the team rather than pressure, with Kinnison saying, “We just wanted to prove everybody wrong. It lit a fire in the team.” Instead of focusing on the critics, the team shifted their focus to working together, playing one game at a time.

 

For sophomore catcher, Nico Fernandez, the goal has been consistent from the beginning, “We’ve had the same goal for a while, and it’s to come first in the conference.”

 

These aren’t just empty sentiments, but feelings backed up by practices filled with pitching drills repeated until flawless, infielders running through routine plays, and baserunners working through different scenarios again and again. Behind the entire process is head coach Travis Graves emphasizing precision in the fundamentals over everything else.

 

“I stress the little things–bunting, running bases, making routine plays,” said Graves. These small, overlooked moments can often decide close games, especially in the middle of a late inning where the smallest mistake can mean victory or defeat.

 

By practicing at high stakes, the Comets can minimize any shocks in the transition to Division II, where the game moves faster and mistakes are punished more severely. Graves prepared his team for these changes early on, explaining, “The speed of the game is gonna be quicker, the guys are gonna be more physical, the fastball is gonna have a little more velocity.”

 

At the center of the Comets’ success is a simple formula: “Good pitching and good defense will win you a lot of games,” said Coach Graves. On the defensive side, the team made it a goal to keep control. “One thing we can always control is our defense, and we wanna play defense at the highest level,” said Assistant Coach Grant Freels. By limiting mistakes and refusing to give away extra bases, the team has built a foundation that has led them to winning on home soil against West Texas A&M and continuing to grind through tough stretches on the road against Division II competition at St. Mary’s University.

 

The baseball team’s success isn’t solely built in drills–it’s built in relationships. Fernandez described the team as a “brotherhood.” With new players joining every season and veterans stepping into leadership roles, chemistry and synergy between the team could have been a challenge. Instead, time spent together in close quarters strengthened the Comet’s bond. Kinnison added, “We built a lot of chemistry in the weight room.” These connections can come in clutch during high-pressure moments in the middle of the field.

 

This culture begins with the coaching staff. For Coach Freels, development of the team goes beyond box scores. “You always gotta take a step back and remember–what I’m trying to do is develop the players. And it’s all about the players and putting them in successful positions, both on and off the field.” By prioritizing growth a steady support system is built around trust.

 

Coach Graves’ belief is simple: “You guys go out there and you play the way you’ve been coached and you play hard. The wins and losses will take care of themselves.” 

By focusing on preparation instead of adding pressure, the coaches have built a culture of support and discipline that naturally leads to victories and perseverance in tougher times.

 

The Comets have stayed strong even in tight competition and they refuse to fold under pressure. Kinnison described their mindset as, “We never give up. Even if we’re down late in the game, you know, we find a way to come back. We’re a scrappy team and we’re always gonna find a way to win.” What separates the Comets from other teams is their ability to finish games strong.

“The intent and the competitiveness in which we play from the first pitch to the last pitch” is what Freels believes defines them.

UTD’s baseball team also blends experience with new talent in their roster. Veterans provide leadership, while transfers and younger players add energy and new perspectives. The balance makes the team stay competitive especially throughout longer stretches of the season, with experience being the backbone of the Comets and hunger pushing them forward. As Nico Fernandez said, “the guys that we got from other schools, and the freshmen we got–they’re some pretty good guys.”

 

Despite early success, the team understands the season is far from finished. The stakes are only going to get higher from here with strong opponents remaining on their schedule, including Lubbock Chrisitian, Angelo State, UT Tyler, and St. Edward’s. Graves acknowledged the long road ahead saying, “There’s still 44 games left and we still have a long way to go.”

 

As the season continues, the Comets are not simply competing in Division II, but establishing themselves as a team that belongs. The foundation being built now translates to future postseason opportunities and higher expectations being created. Graves has made the team’s long-term goal clear, saying, “as we make that full transition to next year when we compete in the postseason, we’re planning to make a leap and make an impact.” For a team that has already proven they can exceed expectations, this season is just the starting point.