With a five-game losing streak and the end of the season on the line, the Knights faced Jefferson on Tuesday, May 2, in the 6A-8 District Semifinals. Offense proved to be the downfall of the Knights, who lost 2-1.

“Our kids played relaxed, we played well, we just couldn’t seem to get the hit when we needed it,” Head Coach Kevin McCray said. “You just can’t expect your pitchers to always throw a shut out, and we only scored one run.”

Both teams played strong offense and defense in the first few innings, with Jefferson getting on the board in the second inning with one run and Robinson tying it up in the third with a hit from Austin Glaskow (’18) to drive in Andrew McMillan (’18). The Knights committed the only error of the game, which drove in the go-ahead run for the Dragons in the fourth inning.

Robinson struggled at the plate throughout the night, ending the game with 12 strikeouts and four hits, while the Dragons struck out only twice and had six hits.

Down by one, the Knights had multiple opportunities to take back the lead late in the game, including bases loaded in the sixth inning and a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh. But, they were unable to get that one final run in, which was a common thread throughout the second half of the season. Since April, the Knights have lost five games by three runs or less.

But next season means another chance to make it past the semifinals, to reverse the struggles of this season. With 13 underclassmen returning next year, the team is looking to rebuild and make a deeper run into the playoffs.

“I know what it feels like for a season to be over and I know I didn’t want this game to be the last ones for the seniors,” McMillan said. “It was such a great season with them, I’m really going to miss them.”