The Charleston RiverDogs secured their second consecutive walk-off victory in an exhilarating 3-2 win over the Hill City Howlers in front of 3,811 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
The thrilling finish marked Charleston’s 13th of the year, their most in a single season since at least 2005. Charleston is now tied with Single-A Wilson and the Chicago Cubs for the most walk-off victories in the sport this year.
Right hander Jacob Kuhn was stellar, tossing a career-high five shutout innings. In the process, he fanned four hitters and lowered his season ERA to 2.48.
The RiverDogs jumped on the board first in the bottom of the fifth when Jack Lines scored on a disengagement balk to make it 1-0.
After Hill City evened the score in the sixth, Charleston responded in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Lines sent an RBI single to left to score Alberth Palma and push the RiverDogs ahead.
In the top of the ninth, the Howlers evened the score at 2-2, setting up another dramatic bottom of the frame.
After Palma slapped a two-out double, Taitn Gray stepped to the plate off the bench, and lined a game winning double to right to win it. Gray is 8-for-14 with five extra-base hits in the series versus the Howlers.
With the victory, the RiverDogs moved to 66-52 and 29-23 in the second half, while Hill City fell to 50-67, and 19-33 in the second half. The two return to the Joe tomorrow for game five of the series. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. with coverage beginning at 6:50 on the RiverDogs Broadcast Network.
Let Freedom Bark
After clinching the Carolina League South first half title, the RiverDogs have secured a spot in the 2026 postseason, presented by Nucor Steel Berkeley. The best-of-three Division Series begins on Tuesday, September 8. Thanks to their first-half division title, the RiverDogs are guaranteed to host Game 2, and, if necessary, Game 3, at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on September 10 and 11.
Single-game postseason tickets are on sale now. For more information, visit RiverDogs.com.
Ballpark Fun:
The ballpark was filled with fun, energy and unforgettable moments throughout the night. Fans came together to support Stand Up To Cancer, holding placards with the names of loved ones affected by cancer during a moving moment of silence at the end of the fourth inning. Towards the end the game, fans were given glow sticks for another special moment of recognition, lighting up the ballpark in honor of those impacted by cancer. Then, as the RiverDogs rallied in the bottom of the ninth, fans clapped their glow sticks together, creating a loud, electric atmosphere that helped make the night one to remember.