IL1 Charlotte Knights

Back-To-Back Ninth-Inning Homers Lead Knights Past 'Riders 8-7 Thursday

Published on April 30, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release


(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - On a night when superheroes roamed the ballpark, Matt Davidson used his super powers to lead the Charlotte Knights to a walk-off victory.

Two Charlotte sluggers -- Neftali Soto and Matt Davidson -- used back-to-back solo home runs in the ninth inning to walk off against the Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 8-7 in a thrilling series opener on Superhero Knight at BB&T Ballpark. Thursday's walk-off, game-winner came a day after Davidson ripped a home run and drove in a career-high six RBIs against the Toledo Mud Hens.

With the game tied at 6-6, the RailRiders seemed to have spoiled the Knights six-run comeback by scoring a run in the top of the ninth on a Rob Refsnyder RBI-single off of Eric Surkamp (2-0, 4.22), but the Knights had one more rally in them. Neftali Soto led off the ninth inning with a solo blast that tied the game again, 7-7. Matt Davidson was next to the plate and he ended the game with the Knights first walk-off home run of 2015.

The comeback victory closed the book on an impressive month of April for the Knights that ends with the team in first place of the International League South Division with a 13-7 record.

The RailRiders jumped ahead early, scoring three runs in the first inning off of Knights starter RHP Kyle Drabek (0-0, 6.75). A Kyle Roller solo home run in the third inning would extend the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre lead to 4-0.

Austin Romine made it 5-0 when he added a solo home run of his own in the top of the fourth inning. Later in the frame, Jose Pirela - who made a major league rehab appearance - smacked an RBI-double to left field to put the 'Riders ahead 6-0.

The Knights responded by using four singles to score three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Carlos Sanchez and Soto started the frame with back-to-back singles, with Sanchez scoring the first Knights run of the evening on a Dan Black single. Consecutive walks for Engle Beltre and Kevan Smith then allowed Soto to score before Jason Coats added the fourth hit of the inning, driving in Black and bringing the Knights within three runs.

Charlotte scored two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to bring them within a run. A throwing error on Trayce Thompson's infield-single allowed Soto to score his second run of the game before Black tallied his second RBI of the game with a sacrifice fly to score Davidson.

With one out in the seventh inning Thompson would smack his third triple of the season into the right-center field gap. Black then drove in Thompson with a double for his third RBI of the game, tying the game at 6-6.

During the game, the Knights welcomed professional wrestling legend and North Carolina native Shane "Hurricane" Helms to Uptown Charlotte to meet and greet fans. The "Hurricane" threw out a ceremonial first pitch and participated in numerous events throughout the game - including the NTB Royalty Race.

The Knights and RailRiders will continue their four-game series on Friday with RHP Shawn Haviland (0-1, 3.45) on the mound for the Knights. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and all fans can enjoy Friday Night Fireworks, presented by BB&T and 107.9 The Link, after the game.

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International League Stories from April 30, 2015


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