BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Long Island University softball team (24-20, 16-5 NEC) clinched the outright Northeast Conference regular season championship with a 4-2 win over Central Connecticut State University (19-28, 13-8 NEC) on Sunday afternoon at the LIU Softball Complex. As a result, the Sharks locked up the No. 1 seed and earned the right to host next month's conference tournament.

Alyssa O'Donnell (6-2), one of four seniors honored in pre and postgame festivities, earned the win in the circle. O'Donnell pitched a complete game while allowing just two runs on six hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Dallas Andrews, Priscilla Gillies, and Alyssa Polemeni were also honored on Senior Day.

LIU opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning when Polemeni doubled to left-center field scoring Lily Hinkle. Up next, Kaylee Clarkson hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Andrews and giving the Sharks a 2-0 lead.

CCSU earned one back in the top of the second inning, when Grace Lawton homered to right-center field trimming LIU's lead to 2-1. But the Sharks extended the lead in the bottom of the third when Jaedyn Lincoln singled and scored Alyssa Garcia. Moments later, a double steal brought Clarkson home giving LIU a 4-1 lead.

In the fifth inning, O'Donnell faced a bases-load jam with one out, but navigated out of it, allowing a lone run on a Lawton sac fly, making it a 4-2 game.

With the championship in sight, O'Donnell retired the final eight batters she faced, sealing a two-run victory.

"I'm very proud of this team after a rough start to the season," said interim head coach Andy Russo. "They stayed together and continue to compete and grow led by an incredible senior class to secure the regular season championship and the ability to host in Brooklyn."

The Sharks return to action this Wednesday at Seton Hall University for a non-conference matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. The NEC Tournament will be held May 8-10 at the LIU Softball Complex.