Knights Fall to Clippers 8-4 on Saturday Night

(COLUMBUS, OH) -- The Charlotte Knights dropped game two of their three-game series to the Columbus Clippers by a score of 8-4 on Saturday night from Huntington Park in Columbus, OH. Columbus slugger Richie Shaffer, a product of Providence High School in Charlotte, NC, launched a walk-off grand slam off RHP Gregory Infante in the ninth to give the Clippers the come-from-behind victory.

After scoring two runs in the top of the ninth inning to take a 4-3 lead, the Knights looked to Infante to close things out in game two. Instead, Infante (1-3, 11.42) allowed five runs in the inning and was charged with the loss. He gave up a game-tying RBI single to Brandon Barnes and the game-winning blast to Shaffer.

The Knights recorded a team-high 13 hits on the night, one more than Columbus. Second baseman Jake Elmore continued his red-hot hitting. He extended his hit streak to 10-straight games and finished the night 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Catcher Kevan Smith and left fielder Jacob May had two hits apiece for the Knights.

RHP Donny Roach started for the Knights and was sharp over six innings of work. Roach, who left with a 2-1 lead, allowed just one run on five hits. For Roach, it was his seventh quality start of the season, which helped lower his season ERA to 3.78. RHP Ricardo Pinto allowed two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning out of Charlotte's bullpen.

The Knights will conclude their three-game series against the Columbus Clippers on Sunday afternoon from Huntington Park in Columbus, OH. Pre-game radio coverage of Sunday's 2:05 p.m. finale will begin at 1:50 p.m. on 730 The Game ESPN Charlotte and CharlotteKnights.com. The "Voice of the Charlotte Knights" Matt Swierad will have the call for all of the action.