SMITHFIELD, R.I.— The LIU Brooklyn baseball team edged out the league leading Bryant Bulldogs, 7-5 on Friday afternoon to open a NEC weekend series at Conaty Park.

LIU out hit the NEC's top offense 10-7 in the series opener. The Blackbirds received multi-hit games from three batters including a 4-for-4 afternoon from Senior Brock Hallum. Senior Alex Briggs and sophomore Colin Adams added a pair of hits. Hallum also crossed the plate three times for LIU. Briggs and classmate Andrew Smith recorded two RBI.

The Blackbirds jumped out the gate strong as senior Joe Mercadante earned a walk and junior Rob Griswold reached on a fielding error. Hallum plated the first LIU run on a RBI single down the left field line to score Mercadante from second. Both base runners advanced on a wild pitch by Bryant southpaw Steve Theetge. Briggs continued the Blackbirds strong first frame with a two RBI double to the gap in left center for the 3-0 advantage.

After putting runners on in the first couple innings, Bryant's top of the lineup struck in the third inning on a one-out RBI triple to right center field and a RBI groundout to bring the score to 3-2.

LIU used two-out hitting in the top of the fifth inning as Hallum and Briggs recorded back-to-back singles. Senior Gregory Vaughn Jr. made it three in a row with a RBI single to center field to push the Blackbirds lead to 4-2.

Senior Zach Pederson exited the game after six strong frames, surrendering just two earned runs on four hits while striking out six. The Bulldogs cut the deficit back down to one, capitalizing on a one-out triple with a RBI groundout to cut the LIU lead to 4-3.

A scoreless eighth inning followed before a big ninth inning as the Blackbirds plated three runs with two outs to push their lead ahead. LIU scored its first run on a fielding error at short that allowed Griswold to score from second base. A five pitch walk to Vaughn loaded up the bases for senior Andrew Smith. He took the 3-2 offering into center field to drive in a pair of runs for the 7-3 lead.

Bryant kicked off the bottom of the ninth with a pair of runners on base. A groundout advanced both runners into scoring position before a two run single to center field cut the LIU lead to two at 7-5. The Blackbirds earned a fly out to center field and a groundout to take the series opener.

Pederson notched his fourth win of the season in the start for the Blackbirds. Griswold pitched two innings of relief, surrendering three runs while striking out four. Senior Mike Kreiger shut the door for LIU, yielding just one hit in the ninth for his seventh save of the season.

UP NEXT

The Blackbirds continue the series with the Bulldogs tomorrow with another 3:00 p.m. start at Conaty Park.