NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Both starting pitchers combined to throw less than 200 pitches and struck out a total of 15 batters, tossing a pair of complete games as Gallaudet stung Christopher Newport University, 1-0, on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon. The Captains fall back even on the season, with a 7-7 mark, while the Bison run their win streak to seven as they improve to 8-3 on the year. 

CNU senior Bryan Bierlein (1-2) matched Gallaudet junior Brandon Holsworth every step of the way, aside from one mis-step in the fourth inning. The Bison mounted a two-out rally with a single, walk and RBI single in the inning, scoring the game's only run. Chris Guinn plated William Bissell with a single into left field. 

After the RBI single, Bierlein was perfect. He retired 16 straight batters to end the game, keeping the Captains within one run for the remainder. The start was one of the finest in his career, as he threw seven perfect innings in nine frames, and faced only 30 batters in the game. The senior right-hander struck out six and gave up just three singles and one walk. 

Bierlein was the tough luck loser, though, as Holsworth was exceptional for the Bison. The junior righty scattered four hits and struck out nine, including in a crucial spot with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth.

With CNU trailing into the bottom of the eighth, Travis Younger singled to start the inning off. After a sacrifice bunt from Preston Grissom and an errant throw by the pitcher, CNU had the first two batters on with nobody out. The next two batters were put away, but the runners moved up on a ground ball. Senior Billy Steel was intentionally walked to load the bases, but Holsworth fanned Justin Weaver to get out of the jam.

Younger finished 2-3 for the Captains, and Steel was 1-1 with a pair of walks. Defensively, the Captains were stellar, turning one double play and recording 14 groundouts without an error. 

The Captains will play at Eastern Mennonite on Tuesday, March 11 at 3:00 pm.