LAKELAND, Fla. – It was the perfect way to end the Spring Break trip as Gallaudet University won its first game of the 2015 baseball season. The Bison came through with a 5-4 victory Thursday over Sewanee-The University of the South at Broer Stadium on the campus of Southeastern University.

Gallaudet (1-9) scored twice in the third inning and three times in the sixth to take a 5-1 lead heading into the home stretch of the nine-inning game. The Tigers (7-8) didn't go quietly as they scored a run in the seventh and twice in the ninth.

Sophomore Blake Phillips (Dalton, Ga.) hurled a complete game as he allowed four runs on seven hits, three walks and three strikeouts. Phillips improved his pitching record to 1-3 on the season.

The Bison offense recorded a season best 10 hits led by sophomore first baseman Justin Strong (Charlotte, N.C.), who was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with one RBI. Junior leadoff hitter Chase Magsig (Hudsonville, Mich.) went 2-for-4, one run and RBI and senior shortstop Mitchell Bensman (Russia, Ohio) followed suit going 2-for-4 and a run. The top three hitters in the Bison lineup combined to go 8-for-12 to lead the attack against the Tigers.

Sewanee starting pitcher Harrison Lee (1-1) took the loss as he pitched into the sixth inning but the damage had been done as Gallaudet led 5-1.

Gallaudet returns home and will host Rivier University on Saturday, March 21, at 7 p.m. under the lights at Regency Stadium, the home of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, in Waldorf, Md.