CORAL GABLES, Fla. — JC Navarro launched a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning. But the LIU baseball team couldn't hold on and eventually fell to host Miami, 9-3, in Friday's series opener at Alex Rodriguez Park.

Starting pitcher Garrett Yawn was relieved by Jack VanDoran in the fifth inning for the second straight Friday. And this time VanDoran inherited the bases loaded with two out and struck out Dorian Gonzalez Jr. to hold the Sharks' deficit at 2-1.

A half-inning later, Navarro plated Jarod Wade with a one-out homer to stake LIU to a 3-2 lead.

VanDoran nursed that lead into the eighth inning, when he departed with the bases loaded without recording an out. The Hurricanes proceeded to score seven runs in the frame en route to the victory.

The teams meet again on Saturday at 6 p.m. Dominic Pieto is scheduled to pitch opposite Rafe Schlesinger.