Bats Suffer 3-2 Walk-off Loss as Indians Even Series
IL Louisville Bats

Bats Suffer 3-2 Walk-off Loss as Indians Even Series

Published on August 21, 2026 under International League (IL)
Louisville Bats News Release


The Louisville Bats left Victory Field heartbroken on Friday night, losing 3-2 on a walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth against the Indianapolis Indians. The Bats held a shutout lead for over six innings, but costly mistakes late on defense saw the Indians even the series at two games apiece.

Louisville went down quickly in the first, with three of the first four batters striking out. Brandon Leibrandt was slated to make the start in his return from the Injured List, but it was Kevin Abel who took the mound in the bottom frame in his third appearance for the Bats this season. Abel opened with a strikeout, then finished the inning doubling up with a strikeout and a caught stealing at second base from Dayne Leonard.

Dominic Pitelli brought home the first run of the game after Will Benson led off with a single, stole second, and reached third on a sac bunt. Pitelli lined a single into left field that gave Louisville a 1-0 lead, but was caught attempting to steal second for the second out of the frame. Abel worked another swift inning in the fourth, getting another assist from Leonard, who gunned another runner down at second. Abel's day ended after that, as he finished with five strikeouts and a walk while allowing three hits through four innings.

Chase Solesky held the Indians scoreless through the fifth and sixth, gathering three strikeouts while allowing just one hit in the process. Louisville added another run to their lead in the seventh, as Noelvi Marte plated a run in his return and legged out a single to make it 2-0.

Solesky put two runners in scoring position with two outs in the bottom frame, giving way to Chase Petty. Petty worked a 1-1 count before a wild pitch scored a runner from third, and an error by Leonard on the throw to home near the backstop put the game in a deadlock at 2-2. Petty gave up a double but forced a ground out to end the inning.

Petty returned and kept the Indians at bay in the eighth, but the Indians capitalized on new arm Anthony Misiewicz (L, 2-2) in the ninth. Misiewicz gave up a walk and a double with no outs, but worked a strikeout. An intentional walk loaded the bases for the Indians, and despite five players in the infield, Misiewicz allowed a walk-off sacrifice fly to hand the Indians a 3-2 victory.

Next Game: Saturday, August 22, 6:35 p.m. ET at Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A Affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates)

Probable Pitchers: Bats LHP Brandon Williamson (1-1, 7.11) vs. Indians LHP Connor Wietgrefe (4-3, 3.20)

Check out the Louisville Bats Statistics

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International League Stories from August 21, 2026


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