WEST POINT, N.Y. — The LIU baseball team toured the United States Military Academy on Tuesday, including watching the cadets assemble in formation outside historic Washington Hall at noon.

The Sharks then tangled with Army West Point, ultimately falling 7-2 at Johnson Field in a battle of first-place teams in their respective conferences.

Michael Edelman produced a game-tying solo homer in the fourth inning, and E.J. Exposito doubled and scored on Giovanni Ciaccio's sacrifice fly later in the frame for the lead.

However, Army West Point answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame to retake the lead.

Starter Garrett Yawn allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five in five innings.

The Black Knights extended their lead to 5-2 in the sixth with a pair of runs against Evan Panjwani.

LIU loaded the bases with two outs a half-inning later, but Seth Surrett grounded into an inning-ending fielder's choice.

Edelman finished 2-for-3 with a walk.

Army West Point clinched the Patriot League regular-season title this past weekend, while the Sharks (27-15) sit in a tie with Central Connecticut and FDU atop the NEC standings at 12-6.

Despite the loss, LIU student-athletes nonetheless appreciated the experience.

The game briefly was paused with Jack Power pinch-hitting in the top of the seventh for "Retreat" on the West Point campus, when action pauses to show respect for the flag at the end of the business day, at 5 p.m.

The Sharks return to action this weekend when they host Bryant in a three-game series.