MOOSIC, PA (August 20, 2026) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders defeated the Charlotte Knights 2-0 in a weather-shortened Thursday night game at PNC Field. A quality start from RailRiders pitcher Adam Kloffenstein and an Anthony Volpe two-run homer in the fifth highlighted the night, as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre snapped a four-game losing streak.
After five scoreless frames, Volpe launched a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth against Adisyn Coffey to break the scoreless game. Oswaldo Carbera walked to lead off before Volpe lifted his fourth homer of the year, giving SWB a 2-0 lead.
Kloffenstein worked in and out of trouble throughout the night, overcoming a lead-off error in the first and a bases-loaded jam in the third. He left two Knights stranded in the fourth after freezing Dru Baker with a called strike sweeper, and Ryan Galanie was left in scoring position to end the fifth. A pair of strikeouts bookended the sixth to hold the two-run advantage.
The RailRiders could not plate any runs against Knights starter Noah Schultz, who allowed base runners in the first three frames but retired the side in the fourth. Schultz pitched 4.0 scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out two.
MLB Rehabber Cody Bellinger was the designated hitter going 1-for-3 in the contest. Bellinger turned on a sinker to right field in his first plate appearance, but was out at second a batter later in an inning-ending double play. In the third, Bellinger launched a sweeper deep to right-center that was caught at the wall. Bellinger saw only two pitches against Coffey, popping up to the shortstop to end the fifth.
Kloffenstein (3-9) threw 6.0 scoreless frames, giving up three hits, three walks, and striking out eight. Hayden Merda (S, 1) worked a clean seventh to earn the save. Coffey (3-3) pitched 2.0 innings, surrendering the Volpe homer in the loss.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre continues its series against Charlotte Friday night at PNC Field. RailRiders right-hander Alexander Cornielle (2-3) will face Johnathon Cannon (5-5). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM. Tickets and promotional details are available at www.swbrailriders.com.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Record: 26-19, 63-56