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ST. GEORGE, Utah — Oh so close.

The Crusaders twice came within 180 feet of plating the tying run and earning chance at a potential upset of regionally-ranked Dixie State on Friday, only to come up disheartening short.

The Red Storm, ranked third in the preseason NCBWA West Region poll, fended off Northwest Nazarene as NNU put the tying run at second in both the eighth and ninth innings, only to fall 2-1 in nonconference baseball.

"No more accepting 'at-a-boy, you got close,'" NNU head baseball coach Rocke Musgraves said. "We have to start beating the ranked teams instead of just coming close."

The near-miss came after NNU held on itself to fend off Holy Names, 10-9, to start the day.

"You learn a lot about your team in one-run ballgames," NNU's coach said. "We are developing roles and we're getting great opportunities to get better at our roles.

"There are always six or seven pitches during a ballgame that have big significance," Musgraves added. "We aren't winning enough of those pitches."

In the day's opener, Justin Pilgrim (1-0) earned the win with four strong innings on the hill in relief of starter Ross Clevenger. Pilgrim struck out three and gave up two runs on five hits.

Jesse Hilyard and Josh Hatfield swung the hottest bats for NNU (2-2 overall), each collecting three hits and combining to drive in five runs.

"Hatfield and Hilyard competed at an even emotional level which led to good at bats," Musgraves said.

Colton McCluskey also had a pair of hits, including an RBI single in the top of the fourth that broke a 4-4 tie and put the Crusaders on top for good.

Hilyard's two-run home run in the seventh — the first homer by a Crusader this season — highlighted a three-run rally, then Hatfield added an RBI single in the eighth and Hilyard had an RBI double in the ninth.

The final base knock by Hilyard loomed large as the Hawks (1-5) rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth before closer Ryan Nyborg earn his first save this season, coaxing a ground ball to end the game and strand the tying run at third.

In NNU's nightcap, Colton Loomis (1-1) locked up in a pitcher's duel with Dixie State's Dylan File as both went seven outstanding innings. File held the advantage, though, leaving the game with a 2-0 lead over the Crusaders.

"Loomis gave us a great opportunity to take the Dixie State game and he will continue to do that," Musgraves said.

In the eighth inning, a RBI single by Hatfield broke the shutout, but a strikeout and a caught stealing at third base ended the NNU rally before the Crusaders could tie the game.

In the ninth, Andrew Helmstadter was hit by a pitch and Joseph Siegel singled, putting runners at first and second with two outs before the Crusader comeback came up just short on a deep fly ball to center to end the game.

"Getting the guys to be comfortable in uncomfortable circumstances is going to be the coaching staff's biggest challenge," Musgraves said, looking ahead.

The Crusaders are back in action Saturday against both teams, playing Dixie State at noon then wrapping up the weekend at 7 p.m. against Holy Name in St. George, Utah.