Durham Bulls Drop Season Opener At Charlotte

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.