BROOKVILLE, N.Y. — The LIU softball team closed the home portion of its 2023 conference schedule with an eventful day.

In a pregame ceremony, the team honored seniors Maya Avila, Alyssa Okada, Alexis Toledo, Sam Garcia, Camryn Lyman and Kristen Blanchard.

Head coach Roy Kortmann and his staff also welcomed back generations of alumni.

And the Sharks split a doubleheader with Merrimack, winning 9-7 and falling 5-1.

With one NEC series remaining — next weekend at Sacred Heart — LIU sits at 12-6 in conference play.

That's tied with Saint Francis U for the top spot in the NEC.

The regular-season champion earns the right to host the conference tourney.

Central Connecticut and Merrimack (11-7 apiece) sit a game back.

As is tradition, LIU's six seniors ran to their positions one last time after the second game's final out on Saturday. They then removed their cleats and were carried by teammates off the field.

The team also held a postgame ceremony and named Kira Buckner the Lynn DeVivo-Bao Alumni Day LIU MVP Award winner.

The annual award is presented to an LIU softball student-athlete who, on and off the diamond, has exemplified the true spirit of determination, commitment and unwavering perseverance.

A fierce competitor on the softball field, DeVivo-Bao was a compassionate and generous teammate and friend to all who knew her. Always grateful for the opportunity she was provided at LIU Brooklyn, the softball program is honored to carry on her memory with this annual award.

Meanwhile, the Sharks actually have one home game remaining. They next host Hofstra on Wednesday at 3 p.m. in a nonconference game on Long Island before heading to Sacred Heart to try to claim the NEC regular-season title.