WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. — LIU opened the NEC Tournament with a win, defeating Stonehill 7-2 on Friday afternoon.
 
2025 NEC Pitcher of the Year Garrett Yawn lived up to the title in the victory, going the distance and pitching a complete game while striking out eleven. Joseph Durso, who closed out the regular season with nine RBI in LIU's previous series with Stonehill, picked up right where he left off with two more in his team's win, leading the Sharks with a 3-for-4 performance including a double.
 
Ryan Rivera also went 3-for-4, including a triple and two runs scored. Jack Power went 1-fot-5 with an RBI double for LIU.
 
The Sharks never trailed in this one, jumping out to a 4-0 lead by the fourth inning. That was enough for Yawn to take control and not look back. The pitcher allowed his first run in the top of the sixth, but LIU picked him up when Jacob Pipercic was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to make it 5-1 in the bottom of the sixth. Though Yawn surrendered one more in the seventh, Durso's pair of RBI came in the bottom of the inning to ensure LIU maintained a comfortable lead and secured the win.
 
LIU will continue on, next playing a to-be-determined opponent on Saturday, May 24 at 3 p.m.