In his two starts against Merrimack in the NEC season series opener, Gnardellis batted .500 (4-for-8), scored four runs, drove in three runners, swatted three homeruns and was hit by a pitch. The rookie from Dix Hills, NY posted an OBP of .556, a 1.625 slugging percentage, and OPS of 2.181. Gnardellis smacked two solo homers in the Hornets' lone win of the series; his second solo shot tied the game at four in the eighth inning.