The 2026 American Baseball Championship opened with a clash between the fifth‑seeded Memphis Tigers and the Charlotte 49ers, both hoping to make an early impression in the double‑elimination format.
Memphis struck first, exploding for five runs in the very first inning, a burst that set the tone for the contest.
Charlotte answered in the second frame when Dawson Bryce delivered an RBI single, trimming the deficit to 5‑1.
The Tigers continued to pull away, adding two more runs in the third inning thanks to RBI hits from Tyler Harrington and Webb Watson, extending the lead to 7‑1.
A Fifth‑Inning Explosion
A decisive fifth inning saw Memphis plate another five runs, pushing the score to 12‑1 and seemingly putting the game out of reach.
Facing a run‑rule defeat, Charlotte rallied with a four‑run seventh inning, then narrowed the gap further in the eighth when Alec DeMartino launched a three‑run home run, cutting the margin to 12‑8.
Memphis responded immediately, as Michael Gupton hit his second solo homer of the night to restore a five‑run cushion at 13‑8.
Charlotte managed a single run in the final frame, but the Tigers held firm. Right‑hander Will Howell earned the win after dominating the first 6.1 innings, allowing just three earned runs on eight hits.