BELHAVEN — Thursday’s clash between Terra Ceia and Pungo was a tale of two teams of sorts. The Raiders were racing an undefeated Lawrence Academy for the conference’s top spot. However, a 4-2 loss to the Knights on Thursday — their second straight loss — likely cost them a shot at No. 1 in the league.

Meanwhile, Terra Ceia has been playing some of its best baseball in recent weeks. The Knights have won five of their last six with their only loss coming to the aforementioned No. 1 Warriors.

In those five wins, not counting that meeting with Lawrence, the Knights have scored 34 times and allowed just 11 runs. The mission of this season has been to improve with each game and that’s exactly what the Knights have been doing. After five slipups against Lawrence, they’ve cut down on errors to help drive a three-game win streak.

One of the most noticeable improvements has been the big plays Terra Ceia has made on defense. There were quite a few in Thursday’s win, including a pickoff and a double play that both ended innings. No play was more impressive than catcher Quentin Van Essendelft chasing down a foul ball and throwing himself into the dugout fence to earn an out.

“That’s what we’ve been telling them. You’ve got to make those plays,” coach Roger Klaassen said. “Don’t allow the opposition — especially the good teams — to have an opportunity. We didn’t give them that (on Thursday). We closed the door every time that Pungo had gotten on base. That’s what it’s about.”

On offense, the key has been confidence. Bats have found their way to the ball more and more with each passing game. The Knights have scored at least four runs and as many as five in the five wins they’ve picked up recently. They even managed to score three on Lawrence. Northeast is the only other team in the conference that has done that.

“I know (Raider pitcher Kellum Cahoon) is quick,” Klaassen said. “I just told the guys the same thing; when you go up to the plate, you have to believe in what you’re doing. You’ve got to have the confidence to put the stick on the ball. … It’s been building blocks. Take the success that we’ve had and build on it.”

Just like Pungo was fighting to steal the conference’s top seed, Terra Ceia (5-4 TIC) had the No. 3 spot on the line. The win put them ahead of Northeast Academy, which has already wrapped up its conference slate with a 4-6 mark.

Considering the rivalry between Pungo and Terra Ceia, the game the Knights have been playing recently and what was on the line, it was a recipe for success.

“This is important for us,” Klaassen said. “This definitely solidifies third place in the conference. It was big for us. We really needed it.”

Terra Ceia travels to Wayne Christian on Tuesday and then Albemarle on Thursday. The plan is to continue picking up steam heading into the conference tournament, which begins May 2.