STARKVILLE, Miss. – Lindsay Friedman belted a three-run home run to power Saint Louis to a season-opening 9-1, six-inning victory over Mississippi Valley State Friday afternoon at Mississippi State's Bulldog Kickoff Classic.

Friedman, who became SLU's all-time home runs leader last season, added to the record with her 20th career blast. She added a single and scored twice.

Brianna Lore tossed the first five innings and picked up her 40th career win to move into sole possession of third place on the Saint Louis chart. Lore struck out nine, allowed six hits and walked only one. She also tripled, doubled, walked and scored a run.

Laney Kneib pitched a scoreless sixth inning.

The Billikens grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Friedman led off with a single, stole second, went to third on a ground ball and scored on Elizabeth Everingham's two-out single.

In the second, Alyssa Tarquinio drew a leadoff walk and advanced on a Hailey Weavers sacrifice. A walk to Emma Buckles was followed by Friedman's homer to center field, increasing SLU's lead to 4-0.

Mississippi Valley State (0-3) pushed across its only run in the fifth, only to see Saint Louis answer with three tallies in the bottom of the frame.

Lore and Mackenzie Peter rapped back-to-back one-out doubles to restore the Bills' four-run lead. With two away, Peter moved to third and scored on passed balls. Weavers walked, swiped second, scooted to third on Buckles' infield single and scored on a double steal, making it 7-1.

The Billikens ended it in the sixth. Allie Macfarlane walked with one out, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch, and a walk to Breanna Lockette put runners at the corners.

Pinch runner Miranda Cotton stole second, and Macfarlane scored on a throwing error by the catcher that also put Cotton at third. Pinch hitter Josie Knesel walked and stole second, and a free pass to Peter loaded the bases for Tarquinio, whose single plated Cotton with the game-ending run.