The Seton Hall baseball team was back in action on Sunday in the final game of their 4 game series against the Missouri Tigers in Ft. Myers, Florida. The Pirates were looking to split the series against the Tigers. The Pirates ultimately did split the series as they came away with a 9-1 victory. The pitching match up was RHP Zach Prendergast for the Pirates against RHP Ryan Lee for Mizzou.

The Pirates got on the board first in the top of the first when Chris Chiaradio doubled home Derek Jenkins to give the Hall a 1-0 lead. The Pirates added another run in the second inning when Mike Caputo doubled home Mikael-Ali Mogues and gave the Pirates a 2-0 lead. In the third inning, a bases loaded walk to Mogues gave the Pirates a 3-0 lead.

The score would remain 3-0 until the top of the fifth when Joe Poduslenko scored on an error and the Pirates took a 4-0 lead. Seton Hall broke the game open in the top of the seventh inning. Mike Caputo walked with the bases loaded to give the Pirates a 5-0 lead. The next batter was Mike Alescio and he cleared the bases with a double to increase the lead to 8-0.

In the bottom of the seventh the Tigers would finally get on the board when Brett Bond scored on a wild pitch. The Pirates would answer in the top of the ninth when Mike Alescio walked with the bases loaded to give the Pirates a 9-1 lead. The score would hold and the Pirates split the series and picked up their second win of the season.

Ryan Lee took the loss for the Tigers. He lasted just 2.1 innings while allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks. Austin Tribby relieved Lee and pitched 2.2 innings while allowing 0 earned runs on 4 hits. Cole Bartlett pitched 1.2 innings while allowing 4 runs on two hits. Liam Carter pitched a third of an inning and gave up 1 hit. Brian Sharp and Graham Ruopp pitched the final 2 innings and gave up 1 run on 2 hits.

Zach Prendergast was magnificent for the Hall on Sunday. The right handed starter threw seven strong innings, allowing 1 run on 6 hits while striking out 8. Prendergast’s performance earned him Big East Pitcher of the Week honors. Andrew Politi pitched the final two frames allowing just two hits and striking out 3.

The Tigers were led by first baseman Zach Lavy who had 3 hits. Center fielder Jake Ring had two hits for Missouri. Brett Bond scored the lone run for the Tigers.

Mike Alescio led the Pirates on the day with 2 hits and 4 RBI’s. Mike Caputo had a pair of hits and 2 RBI’s. Ryan Ramiz also had two hits for Seton Hall. Mikael-Ali Mogues and Chris Chiaradio each had an RBI in the game. Mogues earned Big East Player of the Week honors for his performance this weekend.

The Tigers fall to 2-2 on the season with the loss. They will now head to Miami to take on the Florida International Panthers on Wednesday. The Pirates improve to 2-2 with the victory. They will head to Miami on Friday to start a four game series against Florida International.

We will have full coverage of the FIU series starting on Friday. Until then, Hazard Zet Forward.