CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 SPORTS) --  A Korbe Otis grand slam lifted Louisville to a series opening 5-3 win over Virginia in a key series for two NCAA Tournament hopefuls.

The Cavaliers entered their final home weekend of the season as one of the "last four in", while Louisville was just on the outside as one of the "last four out" in D1Softball's NCAA Tournament field projections.

UVA were first out of the gate with a two-run homer by Katie Goldberg in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. But Louisville kept coming before breaking through in the fourth with a solo home run from Taylor Roby and later the grand slam by Otis to give the Cardinals a 5-2 lead.

Meanwhile the Cavaliers struggled at the plate, going hitless after the first inning until Abby Weaver delivered a solo home run in the seventh to make the score 5-3. Louisville starter Alyssa Zabala pitched a complete game, only allowing three runs on three hits.

Virginia will look to bounce back against the Cardinals on Saturday in game two with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m.