The Washington baseball team seems to be inching closer to solidarity. What started as a group of individual athletes is slowly morphing into a collective unit.

The transformation was evident in Tuesday’s 6-5 loss to unbeaten Riverside.

The Knights jumped out to an early two-run lead in the first inning via a Pam Pack error and a couple of stolen bases. Washington would answer in the bottom half of the inning with two runs of its own.

Pam Pack hurler Zach Parker was able to locate his fastball with ease, but failed to consistently find the zone with the off-speed pitches in his arsenal. It took three innings for the Knights to adjust.

Riverside expanded the lead in the top of the third on a walk, two singles and a momentum-shifting two-run double. Chase Hartley came on to relieve Parker with no outs, but surrendered two more runs on a wild pitch and a passed ball. Parker tossed two innings and allowed six runs (2 ER).

Over the final four innings, Washington’s relievers shut down the Knights offense, holding them to no runs and just four hits. However, Riverside starter Kyle Leggett would go the distance and allow five runs (3 ER) and four walks, while striking out four.

“I thought we played very hard,” said head coach Ryan Whitney. “I’m very happy about continuing to play, continuing to try to attack. It was just a couple missed opportunities. The thing we talked about with the guys is that our effort is there, now we have to work to get the mental side of it even with the physical effort, and if we do that, we’ll start knocking on the door.”

The Pam Pack will face cross-county rival Northside next Tuesday at home.