BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The LIU Brooklyn baseball team rallied back to tie the game up in the bottom of the ninth and force extra innings Sunday afternoon at LIU Field, but Sacred Heart scored eight runs in the 10th to take the win, 12-7. The Pioneers (12-19-1, 6-2 NEC) took three of four from LIU (12-23, 5-7 NEC) to win the weekend series.

Despite the final score, the game was a low-scoring affair early on, as neither team would get on the board until the fifth inning. Sophomore Evan Flood started for LIU, and gave up just one hit in the first four innings. But in the top of the fifth, the Pioneers were able to score three runs, on three hits and two walks, to take the lead, 3-0.

It took two innings, but eventually, LIU evened the score with one stroke. Junior Luis Rios walked early on, and sophomore Tommy Jakubowski got on with a well-placed bunt. Senior Bobby Webb brought both runners home on the next at bat, with his homer to left field, tying the game up, 3-3.

Sacred Hear would add one more in the top of the seventh on a sac fly, to lead, 4-3. That was the last time either teal would score, until the bottom of the ninth. Down one, the Blackbirds had their backs to the wall. With two outs, John Knauth pitch hit for LIU, and was walked. Another pinch hitter, John Serrano, singled. With two on, Sacred Heart brought in a new pitcher, and sophomore Anthony Capo took advantage, using a single through the left side to score the tying run, 4-4. SHU was able to get the final out and end the threat, sending the game into extra innings.

In the tenth inning, however, the Pioneers bats came alive. The visiting team racked up eight runs on five hits, taking a 12-4 lead on LIU.

The bottom of the tenth saw LIU add three more runs to its total, when both Jakubowski and Webb were walked, and senior Melvin Rios had his first home run of the season. The long ball to the left field fence cut the lead to 12-7, but SHU's defense was able to get the third and final out, taking the game, 12-7, and the series.

Matt Cooney pitched 7.0 innings for SHU, giving up just three runs on four hits, while striking out four. James Cooksey (5-1) snagged the win, pitching one third of the ninth inning for Sacred Heart.

Sophomore Evan Flood had the start for LIU, going 4.1 innings, with just three hits. Dustin Carlson pitched 2.0 innings, giving up just one run on one hit, while striking out two. Junior Vinny Tranchina also fared well on the mound, going 2.2 innings with two strikeouts, and holding the Pioneers scoreless. Sophomore Cory Hart (0-3) earned the loss for LIU.

Up next, the Blackbirds hit the road to take on Hofstra, Wednesday, April 22 at 3:30 p.m.