BROOKVILLE, N.Y. — The LIU softball team will head into the postseason as the fourth seed in the Northeast Conference Tournament.
A day after clinching a spot in the tourney, the Sharks fell to Mount St. Mary's, 4-2, in the regular-season finale on Monday.
That sets up a meeting with No. 1 seed Saint Francis U. on Thursday in Loretto, Pa., in the tourney opener.
LIU completed the regular season 24-29 overall and 13-11 in the league.
In Monday's finale, Mount St. Mary's grabbed an early three-run lead. The Sharks then clawed within 3-2 with a two-run third that included
Katie Hinkle scoring on a wild pitch and
Camryn Lyman scoring on an error. But LIU got no closer.
After the regular-season finale, as is LIU tradition, the eight seniors —
Kelsey Day,
Zoe Estoppey,
Angelina Reno,
Ciara Granado,
Elena Valenzuela,
Ryleigh Bermea, Hinkle and
Kiana Cisneros — were carried off the field by teammates.
"That started a long time ago," coach
Roy Kortmann said. "I've been here a long time. We've been doing it for quite a long time. It's something we enjoy. It's something the kids enjoy. It's a poignant moment."
As for the team's emotions, Kortmann added: "We had a pretty stressful weekend, so we're just coming down from that. We'll get after it Tuesday and Wednesday for the tournament."
