CHARLOTTE, NC – The Charlotte Knights opened up their final homestand of the 2026 season with a strong showing against the Buffalo Bisons. Charlotte hit a pair of Home Runs and the pitching remained in control throughout the ballgame. The result was a 4-1 victory for the home team.
Tim Elko’s leadoff at-bat in the bottom of the second inning provided the contest’s initial run. Elko fell behind in the count, battled his way back, and capitalized on a pitch left over the middle of the plate. The Knights’ first-baseman swung and crushed a 400-foot Home Run over the left-centerfield wall.
Junior Perez added two more runs to the tally in the fourth inning with a towering two-run blast down the left field line. Elko and Perez combined for five of the Knights’ nine hits in the game.
Caden Connor continued his hot stretch at the plate with an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning. The run-scoring single gave Charlotte’s pitching staff even more breathing room.
The arms were led by starter Drew Thorpe. In his latest rehab start, Thorpe tossed five shutout innings. Jairo Iriarte, Jaden Woods, Aidan Anderson, and Garrett Schoenle finished off the Bisons out of the bullpen. Buffalo’s lone run came in the final frame on an RBI groundout.
Jake Cave, who has appeared in games against Charlotte in his career, ripped a double in his Truist Field first plate appearance as a member of the Knights.
Charlotte and Buffalo are back in action for Game Two of the series on Wednesday evening. The first pitch is set for 6:35pm ET.