LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Junior Sophia Knock belted her third home run of the season Saturday against Central Michigan for a fourth-inning lead, but the Chippewas responded with a six-run fifth and went on to win, 11-2, as the Lancers opened Saturday at the Cardinal Classic.

Northwestern then plated seven runs in the top of the first of the second game. The Wildcats won, 10-5.

"As a team, we talk about moving the needle, preparing and pursuing our goals," Longwood head coach Dr. Megan Brown said. "We open with a tough schedule to prepare for conference. Today, we moved the needle for two straight games. If we only look at wins and losses at this time of year, we will either take winning for granted or have to start over each day. Neither one gets us where we want to go. A marathon isn't won in the first two miles. The first two miles simply position you for the finish. We play the long game. Plant now, water in the middle and be ready for harvest in God's good and perfect time."

Against Central Michigan (3-9), Maggie Chapin surrendered just two hits and three walks through four innings and was staked to a 1-0 lead when Knock hit a 1-1 pitch over the fence in center field.

CMU, though, rallied for six runs in the top of the fifth off of Chapin, Er'ron Burton, Erin Kirkland and Mallory Sanders. The Chippewas collected six hits in the inning, getting RBI hits from Carly Sleeman and Grace Koenig and a two-run single by Rachel Cairo to highlight the inning.

After a Brooke Bennett RBI single through the middle scored Avery Drake in the bottom of the inning, Central Michigan pushed across three in the sixth and two more in the seventh to account for the final.

Northwestern (8-9) exploded before the Lancers had the opportunity to hit, taking a 7-0 lead. Kelsey Nader hit a two-run homer to right field while Avery Garden and Grace Nieto also connected on two-run singles off of Cierra Gawryluk.

Longwood scored in the bottom of the second when Sarah Terrell hit a sacrifice fly that chased Mary Zepeda home and three in the third, cutting the lead to 7-4.

Longwood loaded the bases prior to Knock getting plunked by a 3-2 pitch to make it 7-2. Maggie Hiatt followed with a two-run single down the left-field line, scoring Avery Jefferson and Drake.

Northwestern got two runs in the sixth to make it 10-4 before Jefferson singled in Sophia Pisacano.

Jefferson finished the second game 3-fro-5 with a run scored and one driven in to lead the Lancers' offense.

Longwood (5-11) closes its stay in Louisville Sunday morning against Central Michigan the game was originally scheduled for 10 a.m., but has been pushed back an hour due to cold temperatures.