BROOKVILLE, N.Y. — The LIU softball team honored eight seniors on Sunday.
 
The Sharks then began a make-or-break series against Mount St. Mary's. And a freshman helped them ultimately clinch an NEC Tournament appearance.

Two-time reigning NEC Rookie of the Week Desiree Smith took a scoreless effort into the sixth inning and earned her first collegiate win with a complete game in Game 2 as the Sharks split a doubleheader with Mount St. Mary's, falling 13-0 in five innings and then winning the nightcap, 5-1.

The split moved the Sharks to 13-10 in the congested NEC standings entering the regular-season finale on Monday, also against Mount St. Mary's.

When Fairleigh Dickinson completed a sweep of Wagner later on Sunday, LIU clinched a postseason berth.

Not that coach Roy Kortmann was scoreboard watching on Sunday.

"There's enough stress trying to watch us win for me to worry about someone else trying to win," Kortmann quipped.

Kortmann saluted Smith's performance after the doubleheader.

"For the last three weeks, she's been doing that for us," he said. "She stepped up at FDU. She stepped up at Central Connecticut. She just stays cool, calm and collected and does what she does."

Said Smith: "I was honestly excited that I got called on to pitch today because I know how much it meant for all the seniors to get a win."

During the pregame ceremony, LIU recognized seniors Kelsey Day, Zoe Estoppey, Angelina Reno, Ciara Granado, Elena Valenzuela, Ryleigh Bermea, Katie Hinkle and Kiana Cisneros. Each of the eight seniors had their families escort them onto the field.