FERRUM, Va. — The Southern Virginia University baseball team fell 9-8 in a non-conference matchup against Ferrum College Wednesday night at Panther Field.

The Knights (9-7) trailed early after a four-run first inning for the Panthers (17-7).

In the top of the second, the Knights got on the board with a Riley Daniels double that brought in Ryan Morin. The next batter, Hunter Blunt scored Daniels on single to right field to cut into the Panthers lead now trailing 4-2.

Southern Virginia was held scoreless for the next four innings while the Panthers increased their lead to scoring four runs leading 8-2.

The Knights began to rally back in the top of the seventh, slowly shrinking the deficit with a sacrifice fly from Blunt once again bringing home Daniels.

The defense strung together four shutout innings late in the game for the Knights, allowing the Southern Virginia bats an opportunity.

In the top of the eighth, a wild pitch allowed the Knights' Cole Critchfield to score, several batters later Morin hit a grounder to third that allowed Canon Anderson to score bringing the Knights within three, 8-5.

Southern Virginia had one more final rally in the ninth when Jordan Nase recorded a pair of RBI's on a double down the line and then a Critchfield singled tied the game at eight.

Despite the heroic comeback, the Panthers managed to score in the bottom of the ninth to put the Knights away 9-8.

Southern Virginia collected eight hits on the day with six different hitters picking up a hit. Blunt led the Knights with three hits while he and Critchfield led the team with two RBI's apiece.

Eight different pitchers entered the game for the Knights surrendering 14 hits in the loss.