CLEVELAND, Ohio - Emery Sipe hit a three-run homer, but Youngstown State road a five-run first inning to a 7-4 victory over Cleveland State in the Horizon League series opener on Friday afternoon at Viking Field.

CSU fell to 13-23 overall and 3-6 in the League, while the Penguins improved to 17-20 overall (7-6 HL).

YSU used five hits in the first inning to score five runs and take an early lead, but Sipe answered with a three-run homer in the bottom half of the inning as Mel Woodard singled and Riley Ries drew a walk to get on-base.

The Penguins came right back with two runs in the second inning to take a 7-3 lead and it stayed that way until the sixth inning when Macy Kaisk drove in Ries to slice the deficit to 7-4. CSU had runners on the corners, but the threat was ended with a line drive double play.

The Vikings once again started to threaten in the seventh inning with a one out single, but Woodard's line shot up the middle was caught by the YSU second baseman as she dove to her right and doubled up the runner on first base to end the game.

Ries had two of CSU's eight hits, finishing 2-for-2 with a pair of runs scored.

Taylor Miokovic was strong in relief for the Vikings, working 5 2/3 innings and giving up three runs - two earned - on six hits with three strikeouts.

The teams conclude the three-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday at Viking Field. The first game is slated for 1:00 pm.