ANDOVER, Mass. – Behind a three-run home run from second baseman Jack Power, and nine strikeouts from Joshua Loeschorn, the LIU baseball team defeated Merrimack 10-3 on Friday. The Sharks record moves to 24-12 and 9-4 in NEC play.
 
After a scoreless deadlock for the first three innings, Merrimack scored the first run of the game off a home run, but in the top of the fifth the Sharks answered back thanks to the first of five RBIs from Power. After a wild pitch and sacrifice fly, the Sharks took a 3-1 lead entering the bottom half of the inning.
 
The sixth inning was LIU's best inning offensively with catcher Colin Adams lining a double into left field to advance runners and nab an RBI to make it 4-1. Already ahead, LIU blew the game open with Power sending the ball over the outfield wall to make it 7-1. The Sharks would cruise the rest of the game en route to the 10-3 triumph.
 
On the mound, Loeschorn had one of his best outings of the season, allowing just one run in seven innings of work and tacking on nine strikeouts. His one run allowed was his best outing since February 18 against Northeastern when he tossed five scoreless innings.
 
As for the batter's box, Power along with his 5 RBIs, led the sharks with two hits. Behind him, Adams, Seth Surrett, and Carlton Harper each added hits of their own to propel the Sharks bats.

The Sharks are back in action on Saturday at 1 p.m. for the game two of the series against Merrimack.