Knights Split with Hawks in First Region Play

Rosedale, Md.—The Essex Knights Baseball Team, still awaiting their first home game of the season, return from another road trip, splitting their double header against College of Southern Maryland. The Knights started out strong winning the first game 11-6, and then were defeated by the Hawks 16-6 in their second matchup in 5 innings.

In the first game, the Knights came out swinging, outhitting the Hawks 12 to 8 and putting up seven out of their eleven runs in the fourth inning. Catcher Manuel Jackson showed out, having two home runs in the game, one being a 2-run homer in the in the first inning to giving the Knights an early lead, and the other being a 3-run homer in the fourth inning, bringing his RBI total to give for the game. Liam Bowers would provide the Knights another home run in the game, a solo shot in the third inning. Bowers along with Likeiry Taveras Jimenez, Eric Elliot, and Alvin Carela would provide the remaining RBIs.

Jake Crawford started the game on the mound for the Knights. In five innings pitched he gave up five earned runs on six hits and a home run while striking out two. Three of the five runs given up came in the fifth inning after the Knights were already up 11-2. Out of the 67 pitches thrown, Crawford threw 45 strikes. Joshua Youngberg would relieve Jake Crawford in the sixth to close out the game. In two innings pitched, he gave up one earned run on two hits and struck out two batters.

In the second game of the double header, the Knights pitching would struggle to get going. Patrick Bradley-Cooney would start the game for the Knights lasting just into the second inning, giving up 5 earned runs with two walked and a strikeout. From there the Knights pitching struggles continued giving up a combined 11 runs on 13 hits. Emanuel Morales would attempt to provide a spark to the Knights offense with a 3-run homerun in the second which gave the Knights the lead 3-2 before a 7-run bottom half of the inning from the Hawks took that away and gave the home team a 9-3 lead. Liam Bowers and Alexander Rivera provided the Knights other RBI's.

The Knights return to the diamond on Tuesday, March 8^th when they travel to CCBC Catonsville. First pitch is scheduled for 3 PM.