LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Alyson Broschk hit a three-run homer in the first inning, but Louisville used eight runs over the final three innings to defeat Cleveland State, 9-5, in the opening game of the Louisville Red & Black Classic on Friday afternoon.

CSU fell to 4-6 with the loss, while the Cardinals improved to 7-3.

Broschk gave the Vikings a 3-0 lead in the first inning on a three-run homer that also scored Katelind Phillips and Mackenzie Joecken who both walked.

Megan Hensley delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the first to slice the CSU lead to 3-1 and it stayed that way until the fourth inning when the Cardinals plated two runs to knot the game at 3-3.

Louisville took the lead in the fifth on an RBI single and passed ball and added four more runs in the sixth, including a two-run homer from Hensley that made it 9-3.

CSU was able to load the bases in the seventh inning with two outs and cut into the lead on an RBI single by Phillips and an unearned run, but would get no closer.

Phillips, Susan Knight, Erica McNew, Broschk and Riley Ries all had one hit for the Vikings.

CSU returns to action at the Classic with two games on Saturday (Feb. 28), playing Kent State at 11:00 am and Louisville at 1:00 pm.