Knights Edge Tides in Comeback Thriller

Game Overview

Charlotte rallied from an early deficit to defeat Norfolk, 7‑6, with clutch hits in the fourth and fifth innings. The Tides seized the initial advantage after a leadoff walk issued by David Sandlin turned into a run in the opening frame. Charlotte responded with a three‑run burst in the fourth, sparked by a walk to Rikuu Nishida, an RBI double from Everson Pereira, and a two‑run homer by Austin Hays that established the eventual winning margin. Norfolk narrowed the gap with back‑to‑back runs in the fifth, only to see Andy Weber and Nolan Jones each add an RBI to stretch the lead to 7‑3.

Late‑inning pressure from Norfolk fell short as Garrett Schoenle and Tanner McDougal combined to allow two runs in the ninth, but the Knights held on for the victory. Sandlin pitched four innings, surrendering three walks and striking out two hitters while missing out on the win. The contest showcased a roller‑coaster of scoring, with both clubs posting multiple extra‑base hits and walks throughout the night.

Key Performances

Austin Hays earned MVP honors with a 2‑for‑4 outing, scoring two runs, driving in two runs, and launching a decisive home run. Everson Pereira added a double and an RBI, while also scoring twice and earning a walk. Rikuu Nishida contributed a pair of hits and a walk, and Nate Jones drove in a run with a two‑hit performance. Andy Weber closed out the lineup with a solo homer and an RBI, solidifying his role as a run producer.

The pitchers on the losing side struggled with control: Garrett Schoenle gave up two runs on one hit with two walks in two‑thirds of an inning, while Tanner McDougal allowed a single run on two hits across two innings. Duncan Davitt took the loss after surrendering four hits and two runs in two innings, and Mario Camilletti recorded three strikeouts without a hit.

League Action Roundup

In other league games, the Montgomery Biscuits erupted for 13 runs against the Birmingham Barons, thanks to Caleb Bonemer’s 22nd home run of the season in the first inning. The Barons managed only one hit with runners in scoring position, while Birmingham’s offense collected nine hits and three walks but failed to capitalize. Bonemer followed his early blast with a single that drove in another run, and Brendon Dixon added a solo homer in the ninth.

• Montgomery Biscuits (13‑4) vs. Birmingham Barons (4‑13)
• Caleb Bonemer – 3‑for‑4, R, 2 RBI, HR (MVP)
• Dylan Campbell – 2‑for‑4, SB, OA, E
• Brendon Dixon – 1‑for‑4, R, RBI, HR, E
• Connor McCullough – 3 IP, 6 H, 4 R (3 ER), 3 BB, 2 K, L

The Greensboro Grasshoppers clipped the Winston‑Salem Dash, 6‑1, after the Dash built a fleeting lead in the second inning. James Taussig sparked the Dash offense with a leadoff single, later plated by Ely Brown’s triple, but the Grasshoppers seized control in the third and added four more runs in the late innings. Winston‑Salem managed five singles and went 1‑for‑7 with runners in scoring position.

• Greensboro Grasshoppers (6‑1) vs. Winston‑Salem Dash (1‑6)
• Ely Brown – 2‑for‑3, RBI, 3B (MVP)
• James Taussig – 2‑for‑4, R
• Jack Young – 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 2 K
• Drew McDaniel – 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 K, L

Columbia dispatched the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, 7‑4, after starter Gabriel Rodriguez surrendered six runs in under two frames. The Fireflies’ bullpen kept the Ballers off the board for five innings before Choyce Diffey allowed a solo run in the eighth. Kannapolis mounted a late rally in the seventh, with Alexander Albertus delivering an RBI single and Jurdrick Profar plating a run with a double.

• Columbia Fireflies (7‑4) vs. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (4‑7)
• Alexander Albertus – 2‑for‑3, 2 RBI, BB, 2B (MVP)
• Matthew Boughton – 1‑for‑3, 2 R, BB, 3B
• Gabriel Rodriguez – 1 ⅔ IP, 7 H, 6 R, 3 BB, 3 K, L

The ACL Reds topped the ACL White Sox, 4‑2, while the White Sox offense struggled with four hits, two walks, and zero runs with runners in scoring position. Leandro Alsinois tied the game with his first home run of the year in the third, but Orlando Suarez reclaimed the lead immediately. Frank Mieses added a solo homer late, though the Sox could not sustain the threat.

In the DSL division, the White Sox held a 9‑4 edge over the Blue Jays Blue, capitalizing on seven wild pitches and 14 walks from Toronto’s staff. Despite only five hits, the Sox scored in every inning except the fourth, with Ronald Cardoza and Sebastian Romero each driving in early runs and Felix Lebron adding a two‑run single in the fifth. The Blue Jays were limited to four hits and two earned runs over seven innings.

Earlier in the week, the ACL White Sox erased a 7‑4 deficit against the Brewers, scoring four runs in the late innings to win, 8‑7. Yordani Soto sparked the comeback with an RBI double in the second, and rehabbing Wes Kath delivered a two‑run home run in the third. D’Angelo Tejada’s fourth homer of the season plated three runs in the fifth, and Jefrank Silva’s walk, passed ball, and Darren Baker’s base hit sealed the victory.

The scheduled DSL White Sox versus DSL Pirates Black game was postponed, with a makeup date set for July 31. All other league matchups are set to continue as the season progresses.