Nick Williams' solo blast in the bottom of the eighth helped carry the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (47-35) to a 3-2 win over the Charlotte Knights (38-45) on Friday night at Coca-Cola Park.

Williams' home run was his eighth of the season and came off of RHP Juan Minaya (1.2 IP, H, R, ER, 2 K) who was tagged with the loss for the Knights and falls to 0-1 on the year.

RHP Dalier Hinojosa (1.0 IP, H, R, ER) got the win for the IronPigs to improve 1-0 on the year. RHP Edward Mujica (1.0 IP, K) notched his 21st save of the year with a perfect ninth.

The Pigs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with a run in the bottom of the first when J.P. Crawford (3-4, RBI, R) reached with a one-out infield single, advanced to second on a groundout and scored on Darin Ruf's (2-4, RBI) RBI single.

Charlotte tied it at one with a run in the fifth as Jake Peter led off with a double and scored on Vinny Rottino's RBI single. The Knights had the bases loaded with two outs later in the inning, but Pigs starter Jake Thompson got Jason Bourgeois to pop out to third and end the threat.

Thompson (n/d) gave up the one run on six hits to go along with two walks and six strikeouts in seven innings of work.

In the home half of the frame, David Lough reached on a fielder's choice with one out, advanced to second on a bunt single from Emmanuel Burriss and later scored on Crawford's go-ahead RBI single with two outs to give the IronPigs a 2-1 advantage.

Charlotte starter Kameron Loe (n/d) allowed the two runs on seven hits while fanning five over 4.2 IP.

The Knights tied things at two apiece in the bottom of the eighth when Leury Garcia led off with a triple and scored on Bourgeois' sac fly.

Cedric Hunter (2-3) also had a multi-hit game for manager Dave Brundage's squad.

The series continues on Saturday at 6:35 p.m. as RHP Ben Lively (3-1, 3.11) gets the ball for the Pigs against Knights RHP Anthony Ranaudo (4-2, 2.68).