Smith's 10th Inning Single Gives Knights 5-4 Walk-Off Win Wednesday
May 13, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) -- Kevan Smith stepped to the plate in the bottom of the 10th inning with the bases loaded and a chance to be the hero. On a 3-2 pitch from Louisville's Sam LeCure with thousands of fans at BB&T Ballpark on their feet, Smith did just that.
Smith singled home the game-winning run in the bottom of the 10th frame and the Charlotte Knights walked-off with a 5-4 win over the Louisville Bats on Wednesday in front of an afternoon crowd of 9,601 fans at BB&T Ballpark in Uptown Charlotte. The win was the team's season-high fifth consecutive and 19th overall of the season. The Knights improved to 12-6 at home on the year.
An inning after the team scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the game into extra innings, Dan Black ignited the Charlotte offense with a leadoff double in the 10th. With Black representing the winning run, Tyler Colvin stepped to the plate with no outs. Colvin -- a Clemson University product -- reached on a fielding error by Louisville second baseman Irving Falu to give the Knights runners on the corners. Matt Tuiasosopo then stepped to the plate and was intentionally walked to load the bases. Enter Kevan Smith.
A member of Chicago's 40-man roster -- and the top catching prospect in the organization -- Smith battled during his 10th inning, six-pitch at-bat. The Pittsburgh, PA native worked a full count and then lined the game-winning, walk-off single down the third base line to send everyone home happy. Smith's hit -- his first of the game -- was a great way to end an exciting afternoon of Uptown Charlotte baseball and give the Knights their third walk-off win of the season.
Reliever Jarrett Casey (4-0, 2.12) allowed just one hit over a scoreless 10th inning to earn the win -- his fourth of the season.
Charlotte starter Junior Guerra was sharp in just his second career Triple-A outing, but did not factor in the decision. Guerra, a native of Venezuela, allowed two runs on five hits over six effective innings. For the second-consecutive outing, he struck-out eight batters.
Louisville starter Josh Smith was equally impressive. Smith allowed just one run on four hits over his six innings of work. The Louisville bullpen allowed four runs over the final three innings. LeCure (0-2, 5.40) was saddled with the loss after allowing the Knights to load the bases in the ninth and eventually give up the game-winning hit to Smith. With the loss, the Bats fell to 6-11 on the road this season.
The two teams will conclude their four-game series from BB&T Ballpark on Thursday with a 7:05 p.m. game. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and it's another Thirsty Thursday game courtesy of Hickory Tavern. RHP Brad Penny (2-3, 6.17) gets the nod for the Knights against Louisville LHP David Holmberg (1-3, 6.44). The Knights will go for their sixth consecutive win on Thursday.
International League Stories from May 13, 2015
- Garcia Gives G-Braves 2-1 Walk-Off Victory - Gwinnett Stripers
- Chiefs Edged by Braves in 10 Innings - Syracuse Mets
- Smith's 10th Inning Single Gives Knights 5-4 Walk-Off Win Wednesday - Charlotte Knights
- Pryor Undergoes Successful Surgery Wednesday - Rochester Red Wings
- Richard Captains Shutout & Earns Win in Tribe Debut - Indianapolis Indians
- Alvarez Homers Helps Tides over RailRiders - Norfolk Tides
- Gwinnett Braves Add Catcher Wil Nieves - Gwinnett Stripers
- Indy Shuts out PawSox to Salvage Game in Series - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Orioles Place RHP Jason Garcia on Disabled List; Recall RHP Mike Wright from Triple-A Norfolk - Norfolk Tides
- Tides Take Rubber Match, 3-1 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Durham Bulls Game Notes - Durham Bulls
- Bisons Notes - Durham at Buffalo (6:05 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
- Important Message for All PawSox Fans - Pawtucket Red Sox
- SWB Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- LHV Game Notes - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Ninth-Inning Rally Falls Short for G-Braves - 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.
