LANCASTER, PA – The Gallaudet University baseball team dropped the first game in a three-game series against North Eastern Atlantic Conference (NEAC) foe Lancaster Bible College on Saturday as the Bison lost a 7-4 lead in the 8th inning as the Chargers rallied to win 10-7.

Gallaudet (15-9, 3-1 NEAC) had a slow start against the Chargers (7-9, 2-3 NEAC), as it went down early in the first inning. Lancaster centerfielder Matt Taliercio (3-for-5, five RBI) knocked out a two-run home run. LBC later increased its lead to 4-0 as the teams headed to the seventh inning.

The Bison bats came to life as four hits, two walks and one hit batter turned into five runs for the visitors. Senior outfielder William Bissell (Brewer, Maine), singled home fellow senior outfielder Marcus Smith (Baltimore, Md.) to plate GU's first run of the game. Senior catcher Casey Hicks (Henderson, Nev.) singled home senior second baseman JJ Klein (Cincinnati, Ohio). Junior Mitchell Bensman (Russia, Ohio) plated Bissell on a sacrifice fly and freshman first baseman Justin Strong (Charlotte, N.C.) singled home Hicks to knot the game at four apiece. Moments later, a wild pitch allowed senior third baseman Chris Guinn (McLoud, Okla.) to run home to give GU a 5-4 edge. 

Hicks padded Gallaudet's lead in the eighth with a two-run home run as the Bison led 7-4 heading into the bottom of the eighth.

Gallaudet looked in control but Taliercio had other plans as he hit his second home run of the day, this time a three-run shot to tie the game at 7-7. Taliercio's second home run ended Gallaudet starting pitcher Danny O'Donnell's (Olney, Md.) day. He pitched 7.1 innings and allowed seven runs (five earned) on 14 hits, one walk and struck out five. 

Sophomore pitcher Ben Coleman (St. Paris, Ohio) relieved O'Donnell but didn't last long as he allowed three runs (two earned) on one hit and one walk.

Hicks and Strong led the Bison at the plate going 3-for-5 as Hicks drove in three runs and scored twice while Strong had one RBI and one double.

Gallaudet and Lancaster Bible will play a doubleheader tomorrow (Sunday, April 6) starting at 1 p.m.