SANTA ROSA, CA – Menlo Softball made a pitstop on their way home from Lincoln to take on Sonoma State and Dominican as part of the North Bay Challenge. The day began at Santa Rosa Junior College at 10am against Sonoma State which ended in 5 innings after the Sea Wolves were able to tally up a 10-2 lead. Right after, the Oaks drove to San Rafael, CA to see Dominican at Penguin Field. It was a low scoring game that fell in favor of the Penguins, 0-1. This was the second time facing Division II opponents this preseason, the first being Art U.
Game 1: Sonoma 10 - 2 Menlo (5 innings)
Offense began early for the Sea Wolves as they were able to add the score up to 0-8 after the 3rd inning. The Oaks 2 runs were scored in the top of the 4th inning. Emma Medina started the rally off after an error by the left fielder placed her at 1st base. Maya Bivens-Sommerville would load the count 3-2 and earn the walk to advance Medina and leave Oaks on base for Alexia Lozano. Lozano, who has had an excellent weekend of hitting, did her job and singled up the middle to score Medina. Alexandra Attard also earned a walk which put an Oak at every base with Grace Tuiteleleapaga up to bat next. The freshman took a 4-pitch walk for the RBI and scored Bivens-Sommerville to make the score 2-8. Menlo unfortunately could not hold off the offensive machines of the Sea Wolves who were able to end it in 5 innings.
Game 2: Dominican 1 - 0 Menlo
It was a low scoring match up in the afternoon against Dominican. The game remained scoreless until the 3rd inning when the Penguins were able to score off of a double to right center. The Oaks did not allow any more runs against them for the rest of the game but struggled to get momentum to score. Menlo totaled 5 hits across the 7 innings from Emma Medina, Maya Bivens-Sommerville, Alexandra Attard, Jolena Velasquez, and Sofia Quintero.
Menlo pitched Vivian Valencia as the lone pitcher of the game who went 6 innings pitched and 4 strikeouts across 23 batters faced. Valencia has a .50 ERA across 14 innings pitched this season to lead the Oaks pitching staff.
Up Next….
Softball will be on the road again next weekend on February 16-17 for a doubleheader series against the University of Antelope Valley Pioneers at 12pm on Saturday and 10am on Sunday!
