WASHINGTON – North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) play began for Gallaudet University and Lancaster Bible College on Saturday as the teams split the baseball doubleheader at Hoy Field. The Bison won the first game, 11-1, before the Chargers won the second game, 2-0.

Gallaudet (3-15, 1-1 NEAC) held a 3-1 lead late in the first game when the Bison rocked the LBC bullpen for eight runs in the bottom of the eighth to put the game away. The Bison tallied nine hits as they batted around in the eight-run frame.

Sophomore starting pitcher Blake Phillips (Dalton, Ga.) threw a complete game gem as he allowed one unearned run in the third inning as the Chargers collected seven hits. Phillips struck out a season-high six batters and only walked one batter.

Three Bison had three hits each as Gallaudet recorded 16 (season best) in the game. Sophomore Justin Strong (Charlotte, N.C.) and senior Tom Pangia (Hammonton, N.J.) went 3-for-5 with a run scored. Strong added a double and three RBI while Pangia brought home two runs. Junior Chase Magsig (Hudsonville, Mich.) went 3-for-4 and scored twice. Senior shortstop Mitchell Bensman (Russia, Ohio) had two RBI and a run scored in the win.

Lancaster Bible (5-9, 1-1 NEAC) received three hits from JJ Sanchez as starting pitcher Nate Burns (1-2) went seven innings where he allowed three runs on seven hits, walked two and struck out seven.

In the second game, Charger pitcher Zack Leonard (2-2) limited the Bison to three hits in the seven-inning complete game victory. LBC scored one run in the fifth and sixth innings to split the conference opener for both squads.

Sophomore pitcher Ian Evans (Murphy, N.C.) took the loss as he went the distance and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits, one walk as he struck out a season-high seven batters.

GU will travel to Chestertown, Md., on Monday to play a non-conference game against Washington College (13-5) at 3:30 p.m.