As his players came off the field following a five-run sixth inning by Hamption, Knoch baseball coach George Bradley was not happy.

He wasn't displeased about the game getting out of hand in what ended up being an 8-1 section loss Friday night against the Talbots at Kelly Automotive Park. He was more irked by the jovial attitude of his team.

“When they came in, they were real happy they got out of that inning. I wasn't happy,” Bradley said. “I said, 'Nobody should be laughing. Look at that score. It's 8-1. If you're happy because you got one guy out, we're in trouble.'

“You don't want to be comfortable with losing,” Bradley added. “That's nuts.”

There was nothing comfortable — or comforting — about this loss.

Cole Shinsky started for the Knights and struggled with his command. The tall left-hander struck out six in three innings of work, but also walked three and uncorked six wild pitches that helped Hampton score all three of its runs against him.

Shinsky gave up four hits — three of them infield singles — before his exited with Knoch trailing 3-0.

It was his first extensive action on the mound this season. Shinsky, a junior, has been struggling with arm soreness this season.

“Cole will get better,” Bradley said. “His finesse wasn't there. We felt he was ready, but he's not quite there yet.”

Knoch (4-3, 3-1) scored its only run in the bottom of the fourth inning on a RBI single by Garrett Traggaia and had runners on second and third with two outs.

Hampton pitcher David Cricks got a flyout to escape and cruised to a complete-game win.

The right-hander struck out eight in the victory for the Talbots (3-1, 2-0).

“I thought he did a great job and got better as the game went on,” said Hampton coach Gary Wilson. “He had that one inning when he was a little bit up in the zone and they hit the ball hard off of him, then he settled down.”

Bradley lamented what could have been had Knoch managed to tie the score in the fourth.

“We had a chance there,” Bradley said. “Hampton deserved to win this game, though. But we fought hard.”

Gavin Miller relieved Shinsky and pitched well in the fourth and fifth innings, retiring the first five batters he faced. But Hampton got to him for five runs in the sixth on seven hits.

“What you saw tonight, it seems to be a pattern with him,” Bradley said of Miller. “The second time around it seems like they figure him out.”

Miller, once a starter, has been working out of the bullpen for Knoch. Bradley said when he broke the news to Miller, the former starter took it well.

“Treat them like men,” Bradley said. “I believe in that. That's my philosophy.

“I'm a numbers guy,” he added. “I'm not saying he won't start again, but there are some guys who moved up ahead of him.”

Knoch played without starting shortstop Hyte Eurich, who had an emergency appendectomy early Friday morning.

Eurich was able to attend the game Friday night, but will likely miss two weeks. Knoch has a key section matchup with rival Mars Monday afternoon at Kelly Automotive Park.

Hampton 201 005 0 — 8 13 1

Knoch 000 100 0 — 1 7 2

W: David Cricks 7IP (8K, 1BB). L: Cole Shinsky 3IP (6K, 3BB).

Hampton (3-1, 2-0): Ben Vey 3-1B 3-RBI, Brandon Olczewski 1B 2B RBI

Knoch (4-3, 3-1): Jordan Hickey 2-1B, Chris Law 2-1B, Garrett Traggiai 1B RBI, Jordan Kowalski 2B

Monday: Mars at Knoch