GRANTHAM, Pa. - A five-run first inning for the host Messiah Falcons, combined with a tremendous outing from Messiah's Daniel Knight, proved to the difference on Thursday as Eastern Baseball dropped an 11-0 decision to its conference rival to begin its penultimate conference seres. The Eagles (12-20, 5-11) recorded just four hits, and failed to score a run for the first time this season.

Knight pitched a brilliant 8.1 frames for the Knights, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out nine batters. He retired the first 10 batters he faced before allowing a one-out single to first-year Jaden Taylor in the top of the fourth inning. Messiah's offense gave Knight plenty of breathing room, scoring five runs in the opening frame to take a lead they would not relinquish.

Knight allowed just three more baserunners on a JJ Matos single in the fifth, a fielding error in the seventh, and a Trent MacDougall walk in the eighth, but the Eagles were unable to convert those opportunities into runs. Eastern had one last gasp in the ninth, loading the bases with nobody out, but the Falcons hung on to secure the shutout win.

Eastern will return to action on Saturday at Trenton Thunder Stadium to conclude its season series with the Falcons. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 12 noon.