Elder's Eight-Inning Effort Leads Stripers Over Charlotte

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Bryce Elder matched his career high with 8.0 innings on Saturday night at Coolray Field, leading the Gwinnett Stripers (41-42) to a 5-3 win over the Charlotte Knights (30-53). Gwinnett secured the series victory with the narrow win.

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Decisive Plays: Charlotte took a 1-0 lead against Elder in the top of the first inning, but the Stripers tied it in the second on Chadwick Tromp's RBI single. In the third, Pat Valaika's RBI single gave Gwinnett a 2-1 lead. The Stripers never trailed the rest of the way, going up 4-1 with a two-run sixth off John Parke (L, 2-8). The Knights scored runs off Elder in the seventh and eighth to cut it to 4-3, but Valaika's solo home run (8) in the bottom of the eighth put the game away at 5-3.

Key Contributors: Elder (W, 5-4) allowed three runs on six hits, walked two, and struck out four over 8.0 innings. Roel Ramirez (S, 1) pitched a perfect ninth in his Stripers debut. Valaika went 2-for-4 with the homer and two RBIs, while Delino DeShields Jr. went 2-for-2 with a walk, run, and two stolen bases. Tromp (2-for-3, RBI) and Preston Tucker (2-for-4, double, 2 runs) also had multi-hit nights.

Noteworthy: Elder's 8.0 innings matched his career high, set on May 30, 2022 vs. Louisville (8.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 8 SO in 2-0 win). The Stripers secured their fifth series victory of the season with the win.

Next Game (Sunday, July 10): Gwinnett vs. Charlotte, 1:05 p.m. at Coolray Field. LHP Tucker Davidson (2-5, 4.62 ERA) for the Stripers vs. RHP Mike Wright Jr. (0-0, 5.25 ERA). Radio Broadcast: 12:50 p.m. on MyCountry993.com. It's a Sunday Funday presented by Georgia United Credit Union. Stay after the game for Postgame Kids Run the Bases.