NORWICH, Conn. — LIU baseball coach Dan Pirillo has led the Sharks to a Division I program-record 34 wins and counting, while right-hander Joshua Loeschorn has the most wins by an LIU pitcher since 1964.

And both now have been rewarded with major honors from the Northeast Conference, on the eve of the tournament opener against Fairleigh Dickinson on Thursday at noon at Dodd Stadium.

Pirillo has been named the NEC's Coach of the Year, while Loeschorn has earned Pitcher of the Year honors.

Pirillo and Loeschorn both are the third in LIU history to claim their respective NEC awards.

Don Maines in 2011 and Frank Giannone in 1990 previously were named NEC Coach of the Year. Kevin Miller in 2000 and Rich Hartmann in 1994 previously were named NEC Pitcher of the Year.

The Sharks enter the NEC Tournament as the top seed, having unseated Bryant, which had won the previous nine regular-season championships.

Loeschorn owns a 10-2 record and 3.09 ERA with 90 strikeouts in 87 1/3 innings. He is one shy of Campbell's Thomas Harrington for the NCAA lead in wins.

"He's been our rock — our guy who comes out first and leads the way for our really strong pitching staff," Pirillo said. "It means a lot to start the weekend off with a guy like him. I'm really proud with the award that he gets to see some of his hard work pay off. He's not a guy who needs that kind of recognition. But, at the end of the day, it's really good to be recognized. I know he's ready for the postseason and wants the fruits of his labor to show on Thursday."

Also on Wednesday, right fielder Michael Edelman and Loeschorn were named first-team All-NEC and third baseman Christopher Wasson, shortstop EJ Exposito and reliever Nick DeSalvo was named second-team all-conference.

As for his own recognition as NEC Coach of the Year, Pirillo said: "It's an honor to be chosen by my peers in the league. It's an award that without good players and a really strong coaching staff, it's not possible. It's for everyone."