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LACEY, Wash. — Riding high a few weeks ago on the power of an unrelenting offense, now the Crusaders are trying to find their swing once again.

Northwest Nazarene's pitching carried the team as far as it could Saturday, but a lack of hits sunk the Crusaders who fell, 6-5 and 1-0, to host St. Martin's in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference doubleheader.

"It was a rough day for the Crusaders, and the second game today it just seemed like we were snake-bit," NNU head coach Rocke Musgraves said. "We hit balls right at people all day."

But the Crusaders (21-25 overall, 19-17 GNAC) still managed to forge a quick 3-0 lead in the opener as two runs scored on a throwing error and Coltin Brink added an RBI single for the early edge.

The Saint (16-26, 13-21) chipped away, though, getting a run in the second, another in the third, then took the lead with a three-run rally in the fourth.

One more run in the bottom of the sixth proved decision as SMU held a 6-3 lead headed into the ninth inning.

NNU made it very interesting quickly as Brett Nielsen and Jarod Gonzales each hit solo home runs, bringing the tying run to the plate before the Crusader comeback fell short.

Nielsen had two hits to lead the Crusader attack, which would have given anything for just one solo home run in the nightcap as the Saints spoiled a stellar effort on the hill by Brennan Patterson and Brady Baker, who teamed up on a three-hitter.

Unfortunately, Adam Eskil's RBI double in the bottom of the first was just enough offense as the Crusaders collected just four hits and didn't move a base-runner past second.

"I was very pleased with Brennan Patterson and Brady Baker today," Musgraves said. "They really kept St. Martin's in check by pitching out of some tough jams.

"I would say overall our pitching is getting better, but all of a sudden we've stopped hitting as well as we were early," NNU's skipper added. "So now we're just looking to put it all together going into these last couple weeks of the season."

The two losses eliminated NNU from the regular-season title chase, but the Crusaders still are poised for a third-straight trip to the postseason as NNU needs just one win next weekend in a four-game series on Thursday and Friday at Western Oregon to qualify for the GNAC Tournament, which will be held May 10-12 in Portland, Ore.