ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Softball opened up their season today at Wunderlich Field hosting the University of Antelope Valley Pioneers! The doubleheader began at 12pm. Despite the poor weather conditions they were able to walk away from the day 1-1. 

Game 1: Antelope Valley 11, Menlo 1

 It was sprinkling in and out all morning beginning the first game of the series. Ayanna Rubio started in the circle for the Oaks and went 5 innings pitched with 4 strikeouts. Menlo was down 0-3 in the bottom of the 6th when they got a bit of energy, first from Bella Cortez, starting at 2nd base, who hit a triple into right field. Emma Wilson followed with an RBI double and scored Cortez for Menlo's first point of the 2023 season. At the top of the 7th the Umpires had to pause the game due to rain. After 20 minutes of waiting the rain calmed down so the two teams took the field. Antelope Valley's bats were hot after the break because they earned 9 hits against new pitcher Vivian Valencia at the top of the 7th. The Oaks fell to Antelope Valley 11-1 in the first game. 

Game 2: Menlo 7, Antelope Valley 3 

Game 2 began with the same weather conditions so the Oaks adjusted quickly. An early rally at the bottom of the 1st began with bases loaded. Freshman Lara Edeker was at bat for her first time this season and earned a 2 RBI single into right field to score Grace Christian and Sofia Quintero for the early 2-0 lead. Macie Figueroa followed that up with an RBI single bringing Emma Wilson home. 

The bottom of the 2nd looked a lot like the first, beginning with a single from Jada Takara. Takara was able to steal second before pinch runner Alyssa Rodne was subbed in due to injury. From there Rodne advanced on a ground out and ultimately stole home off of a wild pitch increasing the score to 4-0. Sofia Quintero scored and Emma Wilson executed a perfect sacrifice fly to bring in Grace Christian to make it 6-0 by the top of the 3rd. 

The Oaks final run of the day came in the bottom of the third when Jolen Velasquez hit a cannon into right field for an RBI triple to bring Macie Figueroa home. Brianna Gonzalez was stellar in the circle going 6 innings pitched and 6 strikeouts. 

The Oaks come back to Wunderlich Field tomorrow, Sunday February 5th to complete their weekend season opener against Antelope Valley at 10:30am!