SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - The Monmouth University baseball team fell 9-1 at Seton Hall University on Wednesday afternoon at Owen T. Carroll Field.

Josh Boyd led off the game for Monmouth with a single to center, collected a two-out steal of second, and came around on Mike Casale's infield hit, which was coupled with an error, to push the Hawks in front 1-0.

Seton Hall (8-9) took the lead in the bottom of the third when Frank Esposito delivered a two-run double to right center, to plate a pair of runners, who each drew walks.

Leading 2-1 going into the fifth, the Pirates increased the lead to 4-1 behind a lead off walk, and a pair of errors loaded the bases. With the bags packed, a balk forced in a score, and Michael Betz's sacrifice fly gave SHU a three-run advantage.

SHU tacked on three runs in the bottom of the sixth, as two errors and a two-run single led to a set of scores, lifting the lead to 7-1.

Esposito's solo shot to center to lead off the home half of the seventh, off reliever Jonathan Shippee, made the score 8-1, and a Will Walsh's triple in the bottom of the eighth led to another unearned run, and a 9-1 lead.

Sophomore lefty Chris Perret, in his first career start, worked 4.0 innings, allowing four runs on three hits, with four walks. Matt Goitz surrendered two unearned runs in 1.1 frames in relief of classmate Perret, while junior Nick McNamara allowed an unearned score in 0.2 innings. Shippee and Joe Loiodice each surrendered a hit and a run in an inning of work.

The Hawks, who collected five hits and stranded 10 baserunners, were paced by Boyd's hit, run scored and two stolen bases.

Monmouth (4-7) returns to action on Friday afternoon, when the Hawks host Bryant University in the Northeast Conference opener for both squads. First pitch for game one of the four-game league series is set for 3:00 p.m., as senior Nick Meyers (2-0) is set to start for the Hawks.