Louisville, Ky. - On Sunday, September 27, the Louisville Cardinals played the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks in a fall exhibition game at Jim Patterson Stadium.
The first game for the Cardinals on offense was a rough one. Miami (Ohio) held them to no runs. However, the offense did turn it around in the second game. Sophomore middle infielder Kade Elam played a big role in that offensive spurt the Cardinals had in the second game.
Elam not only scored Louisville's first run of the second game, but he also had two doubles in the game as well.
Elam's high school career and freshman season with Louisville
Elam came to Louisville after playing for Corbin High School in Barbourville, Kentucky. According to Prep Baseball Report, he was a top 65 player in the 2025 high school class. Elam also won Mr. Baseball in the state of Kentucky in 2025.
Elam's freshman season with the Cardinals in 2026 was a successful one. He had a .297 batting average with 14 doubles, seven home runs, and 35 RBIs. The middle infielder was also able to steal four bases last season.
A promising-looking infield for the Cardinals
Elam will be a part of a loaded infield for Louisville in 2027. The infield includes the all-time Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) home run leader Tague Davis playing first base and veteran shortstop Alex Alicea.
Elam and Alicea should make a dynamic duo up the middle for the Louisville defense.
Louisville 2026 season results
In 2026, the Louisville Cardinals finished with a 30-27 overall record and a 13-17 record in ACC play.
The Cardinals missed the NCAA Tournament after making it to the College World Series in 2025.
For more NCAA news: https://worldbaseball.com/news/category/ncaa