HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Crusaders came up just short Tuesday evening, dropping a tightly contested 3–2 decision to LSU Alexandria at Milton Wheeler Field.
 
LSUA capitalized on two Crusader defensive miscues in the top of the first inning to jump out to an early lead. Trevor Dooley reached base on a throwing error before Dalton Wilson followed with a single. Lane Kratzer then reached on a second error, allowing Dooley to score an unearned run and give the Generals a 1–0 advantage.
 
Both teams settled into a pitching duel through the middle innings. LSU Alexandria managed to put occasional runners on base but was unable to add to its lead, while Carey was held hitless until the third inning. The Crusaders evened the score in the bottom of the fourth when a leadoff walk and a double down the left-field line put runners at second and third. Cam Senior then grounded into a fielder's choice, plating Hays Carley to make it 1–1.
 
Carey took its first lead of the night in the fifth inning. Weston Wales and DeeJay Booth opened the frame with back-to-back singles, and after both advanced on a wild pitch, Jayden Mark lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to score Wales and put the Crusaders ahead 2–1.
 
The Generals responded in the seventh, tying the game at 2–2 on a two-out double by Kratzer. LSU Alexandria then reclaimed the lead in the top of the ninth when Brett Batteford delivered a two-out RBI single, driving in Dooley for what proved to be the game winning run. LSUA closed out the win by retiring Carey in order in the bottom of the inning.
 
Carey returns to action Thursday, April 2, when the Crusaders host UT Southern in conference play. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at Milton Wheeler Field.