LORETTO, Pa. — The LIU softball team swiped home to take an early lead.

However, the Sharks fell to top-seeded and four-time-defending champion Saint Francis University in the opening game of the NEC Tournament on Thursday afternoon, 6-1.
 
Katie Hinkle had a moment of brilliance in the top of the third, when she noticed the pitcher had turned her back to the plate during a lull. Hinkle stole home to put the Sharks up 1-0.

The LIU defense had been holding strong to start too, behind the efforts of NEC All-Rookie Team pitcher Desiree Smith, allowing only two runs in the first five innings and showing resilience against the regular-season champions.

However, the tides fully turned in the sixth.
 
Saint Francis took command in the sixth with a grand slam from NEC All-Rookie Team selection Olivia Ulam.
 
The Sharks next face the ­­­loser of Mount St. Mary's and Fairleigh Dickinson in an elimination game on Friday at 1 p.m.