BROOKVILLE, N.Y. — Alec Huertas matched Central Connecticut State ace Dominic Niman through six innings in Friday's series opener at the LIU Baseball Stadium.

However, things got away from the Sharks late and first-place CCSU prevailed, 9-4.

JC Navarro blasted a two-run homer in the fourth inning to stake LIU to a 2-0 lead.

The Blue Devils evened the score with single runs in the fifth and sixth innings, then broke a tie with a six-run seventh.

Carlton Harper blasted a two-run homer in the ninth, prompting CCSU to insert closer Luke Garofalo to record the game's final two outs.

The teams continue the series Saturday at 1 p.m. A Senior Day ceremony honoring Huertas and left-handed pitchers Chris Buehler, James Steindl and Jack VanDoran will precede the game's first pitch.