For nine innings the High Point Panthers posted a no-hitter, but in the 10th inning the Charlotte 49ers broke open a scoreless game with the contest's only two runs to earn a 2-0 season-opening victory at Greensboro's First Horizon Park Saturday afternoon.

The Panthers (0-1) seemed to have the advantage for most of the game, which was played in mostly 38-degree temperatures. Junior Eammon Portice was one walk away from seven perfect innings for High Point, striking out nine in the effort.

Charlotte's lone baserunner in the first nine innings, designated hitter Chris Taylor, walked and advanced to second on a passed ball, got to third on a ground ball and was stranded there in the fifth inning. It appeared that he was Charlotte's only hope of continuing an 80-game streak of avoiding a shutout.

Charlotte's Adam Mills matched the output of the High Point pitching performance. The senior threw six shutout innings, scattering three hits and three walks, while striking out six. Neither he nor Portice got a decision in the game, despite their expert performances.

High Point stranded eight runners on base in the first nine innings, to Charlotte's one.

In the tenth, the Niners drew a leadoff walk and two hit batters before freshman Aaron Bray lifted a sacrifice fly to left, scoring O'Brien Taylor. Charlotte still did not have a hit, but led 1-0 in the game. Senior catcher Kris Rochelle lined a single into left field for Charlotte's lone hit, scoring junior Brad McElroy for the second and final run of the day.

"Give Charlotte credit," said HPU head coach Sal Bando, Jr. "They took advantage of the mistakes we made. We will bounce back though. This is a long season and you are not going to win every game. I thought Eammon pitched very well for a first game. He is extremely tough to hit when he is able to throw his curveball for strikes."

Sophomore Kyle Pfirrman came in for the seventh inning and pitched the final four innings to get the win for Charlotte (1-0). He allowed two hits, with one strikeout and one walk in the victory. The loss was charged to senior Brandon Moore. He was credited the two Charlotte runs in two-thirds of an inning.

Five different hitters collected hits for the Panthers on Saturday.

Charlotte and High Point play again Sunday at 1 p.m. back at First Horizon Park to finish the series.