Opening Knight Fun Carries Charlotte to Impressive Win
Published on March 27, 2026 under International League (IL)
Charlotte Knights News Release
CHARLOTTE, NC - What an Opening Day it was for the Charlotte Knights in 2026. The Knights throttled the Durham Bulls by a final score of 19-2. To put things in perspective, the most runs Charlotte scored in any of their 150 games last season was 14. That number was eclipsed by the fourth inning on Friday night.
Durham actually led off the ballgame with a Home Run that put Charlotte in an early 1-0 hole. The Knights reeled off 15 straight over the next four innings with five Home Runs by five different players.
Oliver Dunn, Dru Baker, Tanner Murray, and Drew Romo all connected with two-run dingers. After Dunn added a two-run double, Sam Antonacci clubbed a towering three-run blast down the right field line. The Knights tallied 11 runs in the fourth inning alone. Murray added another two-run Home Run in the eighth against his former team. The second baseman finished 4-for-6 with a game-high five RBI.
William Bergolla Jr. was another Knight that padded the box score. The White Sox #11 prospect was one of three Knights players to notch four hits, and two of Bergolla Jr.'s knocks were doubles. Dunn finished 4-for-5, with a walk, two stolen bases, four RBI, and was a triple shy of the cycle.
Charlotte's pitching was equally impressive. Hagen Smith covered the first three frames and the only damage the lefty allowed was the leadoff Home Run. Noah Schultz followed four scoreless, hitless innings that included five strikeouts. Smith and Schultz, two of the Chicago White Sox top prospects, certainly did not disappoint in their season debuts.
Brandon Eisert and Wikelman Gonzalez took care of the final two stanzas from the mound.
The Knights and Bulls are back at it in Game Two of their three-game set on Saturday evening from Truist Field. First pitch is set for 6:05pm ET.
International League Stories from March 27, 2026
- Iowa Scores Five Runs in Opening Night Win over Columbus - Iowa Cubs
- Red Wings Rally for First Opening Day Victory Since 2019 - Rochester Red Wings
- Bulls Drop Road Opener In Charlotte - Durham Bulls
- Jumbo Shrimp Fall on Opening Day to Rochester - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Memphis Shuts out Gwinnett to Start 2026 Season - Memphis Redbirds
- Gasser's Double-Digit Strikeouts Not Enough on Opening Day - Nashville Sounds
- Stripers' Bats Stymied in 3-0 Opening Night Loss to Memphis - Gwinnett Stripers
- Storm Chasers Fall to Bats in Season Opener - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Bats Beat Storm Chasers, 2-1, on Opening Night - Louisville Bats
- Opening Knight Fun Carries Charlotte to Impressive Win - Charlotte Knights
- Saints Top 100 Prospects Shine in 4-2 Opening Night Victory - St. Paul Saints
- Indians Fall to Saints on Opening Night - Indianapolis Indians
- IronPigs Rip off Sixth Straight Opening Night Victory - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Six-Run Inning Earns Win for Tides - Norfolk Tides
- Rojas Homers to Help Deliver Syracuse's Opening Day Win over Worcester Friday - Syracuse Mets
- March 27 Game Notes: Columbus Clippers vs. Iowa Cubs - Iowa Cubs
- Sounds 2026 Opening Day Roster Announced - Nashville Sounds
- Rochester Red Wings Game Notes - March 27 at Jacksonville - Rochester Red Wings
- RailRiders Open Season with Dominant, 8-0 Victory - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Bisons Fall in 2026 Season Opener to RailRiders, 8-0 - Buffalo Bisons
- Iowa Cubs Announce 2026 Opening Day Roster - Iowa Cubs
- Omaha Storm Chasers Homestand Preview: March 31 to April 5 - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Red Wings Announce 2026 Opening Day Roster - Rochester Red Wings
- Redbirds Announce 2026 Opening Day Roster - Memphis Redbirds
- All 2026 Tides Home Games to be Televised Regionally Or Locally - Norfolk Tides
- Yankees announce Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's Opening Day Roster - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Indianapolis Indians Named Presenting Sponsor of 2026 Indiana State Fair - Indianapolis Indians
- Sow Much Intelligence: Saints Four-Legged Swine, ChatBLT, Presented by Minnesota Star Tribune, Ready to Meat the Moment in 2026 - St. Paul Saints
- Clippers Opening Day Roster Announced - Columbus Clippers
- Knights Announce Opening Day Roster - Charlotte Knights
- Atlanta Braves Set Gwinnett Stripers' 2026 Opening Night Roster - Gwinnett Stripers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
