CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Interstat) — The San Diego Toreros capitalized on early control issues by Charlotte pitching and rode a strong start from Diego Gutierrez to a 7-4 victory over the 49ers on Friday evening at Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium, opening the 2026 season for both teams.

The most important part of the game unfolded immediately, as San Diego seized command with a four-run first inning without the benefit of a hit. Charlotte starter A. Kribbs failed to record an out, walking two batters and hitting another to load the bases. Reliever J. Taylor entered but allowed an RBI single to Jack Howard and a run-scoring wild pitch. A fielding error by Charlotte shortstop Adrian Jimenez allowed a third run to score, staking the Toreros to a 4-0 lead before many in the Friday afternoon crowd had settled.

San Diego extended its lead to 5-0 in the second on an RBI double by Mac Springer that scored Angelo Beltre, who had singled. Charlotte responded in the bottom of the first with a two-run homer from C. Gunderson off Gutierrez, but the Toreros’ starter quickly settled. Gutierrez worked four innings, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out four and walking three to earn the win.

The Toreros broke the game open in the fifth, adding two more runs on a two-run single by Beltre that scored Evan Lobliner and Colby Kern, pushing the lead to 7-2. Beltre finished the afternoon 3 for 3 with two walks, two RBIs and three runs scored, setting the offensive tone from the top of the order.

Charlotte threatened in the sixth, loading the bases with one out, but Toreros reliever Fernando Palencia induced a devastating line-drive triple play off the bat of C. Bayne. The liner was snared by shortstop Colby Kern, who stepped on second to double off D. Bryce and then fired to third to catch A. DeMartino, abruptly ending the inning.

The 49ers chipped away late against the San Diego bullpen. Robert Nedry scored on an RBI single by Cale Stricklin in the seventh, and Gunderson launched his second homer of the game, a solo shot to center off Hayden Cody in the eighth, to make it 7-4. Cody, however, closed the door from there, retiring the side in order in the ninth to secure the save.

San Diego’s offense amassed nine hits and drew 12 walks, relentlessly pressuring Charlotte’s pitchers throughout the evening. Five different 49ers hurlers combined to issue those 12 free passes and hit three batters. Charlotte managed only four hits, two of which were Gunderson’s home runs.

With the victory, San Diego begins its season 1-0, while Charlotte starts 0-1. The teams are scheduled for a doubleheader on Saturday to continue the series.

UP NEXT

San Diego and Charlotte will play two games on Saturday to conclude their season-opening series. The Toreros then visit Long Beach State on Tuesday. Charlotte will host the doubleheader before traveling to face Clemson on Tuesday.