WAPPINGER FALLS, N.Y. — The LIU Sharks offense came up clutch in their 10-7 win over Sacred Heart in the first game of the NEC Finals at Heritage Financial Park, home to the Hudson Valley Renegades, the minor-league affiliate of the New York Yankees.  

This was Sacred Heart's first loss of the tournament as the double-elimination format means there will be a winner-take-all game to crown this year's NEC champion tomorrow afternoon.

The Sharks got things going early as they scored a run in the top of the first thanks to an error by Pioneers third baseman Tim McGuire that allowed Seth Surrett to score. Sacred Heart got that run back in the bottom half of the inning, scoring on a wild pitch.

Jack Power started the three-run second with a walk, and RBIs from Jarod Wade, Surrett and Benjamin Fierenzi gave the Sharks the early momentum. They tacked on another run via an RBI single from Jacob Pipercic in the fifth to go ahead 5-1. 

The Pioneers scored four runs over three innings to tie the game at five. They threatened for more in the bottom half of the sixth but PJ Moritz continued his strong tournament by coaxing a soft liner that was an inning-ending double play.

LIU loaded the bases in the top of the seventh and senior Carlton Harper drew a walk to give his club a 6-5 lead. A subsequent wild pitch let Surrett race home and put the Sharks ahead by two.

Much like he did earlier today, JC Navarro came up with a clutch hit, driving an RBI single to center to give LIU an 8-5 advantage. An RBI single by Power and another wild pitch gave the Sharks a mammoth five-run lead. 

Harper and Navarro both finished with two hits and every member of the starting lineup recorded at least one hit of their own. LIU's patience at the plate was critical as the team drew nine walks, while additionally seeing Jake Mastillo intentionally walked and Surrett hit by a pitch. 

Moritz earned the win while sophomore Justin DeCastro closed things out for the save. DeCastro tossed 1.2 scoreless innings and hasn't allowed an earned run in his last 20.2 innings pitched dating back to April 23.

The deciding game of the NEC Finals is set for Sunday, May 26 at 12 p.m. ET on NEC Front Row and ESPN+.

LIU will be looking for their second NEC title since its Division I inception in 2019, while Sacred Heart could nab their first since 2015, their fifth overall.