NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – On Negro League Tribute Night playing as the Norfolk Red Stockings Friday, the Norfolk Tides topped the Charlotte Knights 5-4 in extra innings.
The Tides wore special jerseys and hats to honor the Negro League team that played in Norfolk from 1878 into the early 1900s. It was one of the first professional African American teams in the country and the first in the south. Sam Allen and the late Dan McClellan, both Norfolk natives, were honored at the game. McClellan played for the Red Stockings, with his earliest games found in 1897. He played for several others Negro League teams.
Allen, who played for the Kansas City Monarchs in 1957, said he hopes to see more Black baseball players.
“I’m glad that we’re being recognized, but the thing I’d like to see is more young Blacks back into baseball,” Allen said. “That’s what I want to see. Baseball is the best game in America.”
The younger generation was honored at the game as well, as Ethan Blakeney, who played in high school at Bayside High School and will be playing collegiately at Norfolk State, and Brian Jones, who played at Maury High School and will be playing in college at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, were the recipients of scholarship money.
As for the game itself?
The Tides (51-26) started strong, scoring twice in the first inning. After a bunt single, Colton Cowser came around to score on a Heston Kjerstad sacrifice fly. Josh Lester’s double off the top of the wall drove in another run.
The Norfolk Tides (51-26) defeated the Charlotte Knights (35-43), 5-4, on Friday night at Harbor Park. After forcing extras, the Tides emerge victorious with a bases loaded walk-off walk to stay undefeated in the second half.
Charlotte (35-43) cut into the lead in the third, but moved ahead in the fourth, scoring twice on an Oscar Colás homer off the right-field foul pole and a double from Nate Mondou.
Colás hit another homer to put the Knights up 4-3 in the seventh.
But down to their final at-bat, the Tides put runners on second and third before a fielder’s choice from Daz Cameron drove in the tying run.
In the tenth, the game turned into a literal walk-off for the Tides, as Joey Ortiz, with the bases loaded, worked a full count and drew a walk to bring in the winning run.
The Tides, coming off a first-half International League title, are mirroring their parent club, the Baltimore Orioles, as one of the best teams in their respective leagues.
Norfolk manager Buck Britton praised the Orioles’ brain trust for the talent assembled across the organization.
“Mike and his team have done a great job not only in the draft but player acquisition,” Britton said. “We talk about the talent, but there’s a lot of high-character guys they’re bringing in this organization. They all pull for each other.”
Norfolk plays again Saturday, hosting Charlotte at 6:35 p.m. at Harbor Park.
Norfolk continues action tomorrow night as first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. against Charlotte.