Cochran, GA - The Knights were back at home on Friday, February 22nd as they hosted the 4th-ranked Crusaders of William Carey University in the opening game of the conference series. The Knights were looking to get back in the win column after a close loss against D-II USC-Beaufort. The Knights would start off the game by giving up five runs in the first inning. The Knights would get runners on first and second with two outs but could not drive in any runs. The Knights would have a better opportunity in the second inning as they would load the bases but luck would not be on the Knights side as they would leave the bases loaded. The Crusaders would score two more runs in the third inning but the Knights would find some luck as they would get two runners on base and an error by the Crusaders would allow the Knights to get one run back as the Knights would trail 7-1 after three innings of play. After keeping the Crusaders off the scoreboard in the fourth inning, the Knights would be in a familiar situation as they would have runners on first and second with no outs but a flyout and a double play would end the threat. The Crusaders would score four more runs in the fifth inning as the Knights would now be on the wrong side of the mercy rule. The Knights would not go away quietly as they would load the bases with no outs and they would capitalize as they would score all five runs in the inning with no outs on an RBI single by Datren Bray, a wild pitch by the Crusaders, a two-run double by Jaiden Duarte, and an RBI single by Chaz Salter as the Knights would trail 11-6. The Knights would surrender one run in the sixth and two runs in the seventh inning but the Knights would get one run back in the eighth inning on an RBI single by Yadiel Perez with the Knights trailing 14-7. The Knights would give up three more runs in the top of the ninth inning but would try to mount a comeback as they would score a two runs on a fielder's choice and a hit by pitch with the bases loaded. The Knights would go on to lose 17-9. The Knights will wrap up the series on Saturday, February 24th with a doubleheader against the Crusaders with the first pitch scheduled for 1 PM EST.