Bulls Drop Road Opener to Charlotte, 19-2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2026
Contact: Addison Jarecki
Email: [email protected]

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BULLS DROP ROAD OPENER IN CHARLOTTE*

Durham falls in first of three-game road series

CHARLOTTE, NC - The Charlotte Knights blasted six home runs and rode the arms of a pair of top lefty prospect pitchers in defeating the Durham Bulls 19-2 in the 2026 International League season opener on Friday night at Truist Field.

Victor Mesa Jr. homered on the season's third pitch to put Durham (0-1) up 1-0, but the Knights (1-0) would score the next 15 runs.

Oliver Dunn connected in the last of the first against Durham starter Logan Workman (L, 0-1) for a two-run homer to put the Knights up 2-1. Former Durham Bulls infielder Tanner Murray hit the first of his two home runs on the night in the third against Workman to bump Charlotte's lead to 4-1.

The Knights then put the game away in the fourth, scoring 11 times against Workman and reliever Cam Hill. Charlotte pounded three home runs in the inning, including one by ex-Bulls outfielder Dru Baker. Workman, who finished 2nd in the I.L. in innings last season (151 1/3), was knocked out after 3 1/3, permitting nine runs (eight earned). Hill allowed six over just 1/3 of an inning, including a pair of homers.

Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz combined for seven innings of two-hit ball. The two lefties are widely considered two of the top left-handed pitchers in the minors. At one stage, they combined to retire 13 straight batters.

Mesa drove in both runs for the Bulls, adding a run-scoring double in the eighth. The Bulls managed just five hits in the loss.

Murray, William Bergolla and Dunn each had four hits, with Murray driving in five and Dunn four.

The season-opening series continues Saturday night at 6:05 PM ET from Truist Field with Brody Hopkins slated to pitch against Tanner McDougal.

Notes: Tanner Murray hit a career-high 18 homers in 137 games for the Bulls in 2025. He was traded to the White Sox in November. Murray was one of four former Bulls on the Opening Day roster for Charlotte, along with outfielder Dru Baker and pitchers Duncan Davitt and Ben Peoples... Backup catcher Bryan Broecker was brought in to pitch with two outs in the eighth inning, marking the first time he had pitched since his Notre Dame Prep high school days in suburban Chicago. Broecker replaced Joe Rock, who gave up four runs in 2/3 of an inning on 27 pitches. Broecker retired LaMonte Wade Jr on a flyball to center... Late in the game, a Charlotte fan jumped down onto the field from the left field bleachers and ran across the grass toward the Durham bullpen before sprinting up the concrete aisle toward the concourse, causing a short delay... The Opening Day first pitch temperature was 83 degrees.

After beginning the 2026 campaign in Charlotte on Friday, March 27, the Bulls will return to Durham Bulls Athletic Park for their home opener on Tuesday, March 31 against Lehigh Valley.

Full-season and mini plan packages for the 2026 season are now available and can be purchased at DurhamBulls.com or by calling 919.956.BULL.

                                                                                                           *#DURHAMBULLS*
                        
                        

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