RICHMOND, Ky. - The Eastern Kentucky University softball team dropped a midweek contest to Louisville, 12-4, in a six-inning run-rule on Tuesday.
 
The Colonels (18-16, 7-2 ASUN) saw their three-game winning streak snapped and will now turn their attention to a conference road series at Central Arkansas on April 3-4.
 
Victoria Byrum (6-9) got the start in the circle for EKU, while Tayteum Vigansky and Bayle Hunnicutt also made appearances.
 
Louisville struck first, plating three runs in the opening inning. EKU answered in the bottom of the second, loading the bases with two walks and a single before Riley Oleksik delivered a three-RBI triple down the left field line for her first hit of the season to tie the game at 3-3.
 
The Cardinals regained the lead with an RBI single in the top of the third, then broke the game open with a five-run fourth inning highlighted by a three-run home run from Madison Pickens. Pickens added another three-run homer in the sixth to extend the lead and secure the run-rule victory.
 
Skyler Billips drove in EKU's final run with an RBI single through the right side in the bottom of the sixth, but Louisville stranded a runner at third to end the game.
 
NEXT UP
 
The Colonels resume ASUN Conference play with a road series at Central Arkansas on April 3-4. The series begins with a doubleheader on Friday at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., before concluding Saturday at 1 p.m. Central Arkansas enters the weekend at 23-14 overall and 5-4 in conference play.