Behind the first home run of first-year outfielder Isabella Russo's career, the Case Western Reserve University softball team won its University Athletic Association opener 7-4 over New York University on Friday afternoon at Mather Park in Cleveland, Ohio.

With the win, the Spartans improve to 9-6 and 1-0 in conference play. The Violets fall to 5-9 and 0-1 in the conference. The scheduled second game of the doubleheader between the two teams was postponed.

Case Western Reserve took advantage of two NYU errors in the bottom of the first to plate two runs. Sophomore outfielder Stevie Rieger and junior second baseman Amanda Riely singled with one out. On a wild pitch, the Violets catcher threw wide of third to allow Rieger to score, and the left fielder's errant throw allowed Riely to double the Spartan lead.

The visitors responded in the top of the second inning, scoring two runs on a double to tie the score. However, Case Western Reserve quickly regained the lead in the bottom of the inning when senior infielder Grace Yeung scored on a sacrifice fly by sophomore third baseman Kaila Nutter.

The Spartans added three runs in the bottom of the third to increase their advantage. With two runners in scoring position, sophomore catcher Jordon Manworren drove in a run with a groundout. Two batters later, Russo hit her home run to right field, plating two more runs to put CWRU ahead 6-2.

The Violets added a run in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly to cut into the deficit. Senior infielder Liv Thomas slugged an opposite field home run, her third of the season, to give the Spartans a four-run lead.

NYU added a run in the seventh, but the team's late rally came up short.

First-year pitcher Kylie Hosey earned the win, pitching a complete game with six strikeouts. She allowed just two earned runs, lowering her ERA to 2.04. All seven of the Case Western Reserve hits were by a different batter.

The Spartans and Violets are currently scheduled to continue their series on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. Further changes to the schedule are possible; check back at athletics.case.edu for updates.