On Friday afternoon, the Cards started off the season scorching hot, scoring five runs in the first three innings. Charlotte, a resilient bunch, kept pace with Louisville most of the way, until the ninth inning when the 49ers added a two-run home run to put pressure on closer, Michael Prosecky, before the Cards ultimately won the season opener, 8-7.
At the plate, Christian Knapczyk led the way with three hits, followed by Ben Metzinger, Cameron Masterman, Logan Beard, and Ben Bianco, all with two hits apiece. Metzinger, the Trinity native, set the tone in the first inning with a two run blast, the first of many to come this season.