WASHINGTON – As darkness started to settle in on a chilly Wednesday at Hoy Field, a tie ballgame in the bottom of the ninth inning ended with a bases-loaded single to lift Marymount (Va.) University over Gallaudet University, 6-5. The Saints (2-2), the home team for this nine-inning baseball game, celebrated the come-from-behind win as Gallaudet (0-1) watched its 5-0 lead evaporate over the final four innings in the season opener.

Sophomore Blake Phillips (Dalton, Ga.) got into trouble in the bottom of the ninth when he allowed a two-run triple to center field that tied the game at 5-5. The Bison then elected to intentionally walk the bases loaded, with one out, to create a force play at home. GU even brought in one outfielder to play in the infield to prevent a run from scoring. Marymount's Jack Breheny, down to his last strike, singled to right field to plate Ryan Blake (2-for-4, two triples, two runs, two RBI) and end the game.

Gallaudet scored early and often in the first two innings as it built a quick 5-0 lead. The Bison plated four runs in the top of the first and even chased Marymount starting pitcher Collin Bazemore with two outs. Phillips started the barrage of runs with a two-run single to right field that scored senior Chase Magsig (Hudsonville, Mich.) and sophomore Ian Evans (Murphy, N.C.). Sophomore Zack Crawford (Newnan, Ga.) scored on a passed ball from third base as freshman Kyle Gumm (Dallas, Texas) walked. Senior Mitchell Bensman (Russia, Ohio) capped the four-run first with a RBI single to right to plate Phillips.

In the second inning, a wild pitch allowed sophomore Justin Strong (Charlotte, N.C.) to score from third base. The Saints committed two errors in this inning as Strong and Evans reached on fielding errors.

GU ace pitcher Brandon Holsworth (Beal City, Mich.) got the Opening Day start and went into the seventh inning up 5-2 before surrendering a third run to the Saints. The senior right-hander pitched 6.2 innings, allowed three runs on seven hits, walked three and struck out seven. Evans relieved Holsworth and pitched an inning before Phillips came in to try and hold onto a 5-3 lead in the ninth but blew the save opportunity.

The Bison did backbreaking work the past several days to remove all of the snow that blanketed Hoy Field to make today's game happen. Even up to game time both teams were shoveling out the last of the snow to make sure the game would be played.

Gallaudet is slated to host University of Valley Forge for two games on Saturday, Feb. 28, at noon.