LINCOLN, CA – Menlo Baseball was at McBean Stadium one last time to face off the Jessup Warriors in a doubleheader on Saturday. Game one was a tight race with Menlo taking a 5-1 lead over the Warriors up until the 7th inning when they were able to come from behind to win, 5-7. Game two also went to Jessup after another hit-fest from the Warriors would give them a 16-3 victory to close out the series. Menlo will return to Atherton for another conference series next week, this time at their home Cartan Field.
Game 1: Menlo 5 - 7 Jessup
The scoring began early in game one after center fielder DJ Scott hit it out of the park once again to put Menlo on the board. Carter Harris wanted to join in on the home run fun and hit a bomb over the right field fence to go up 2-1 in the top of the 4th inning. After an error by the Warriors 3rd baseman left Jonathan Charboneau at second, Jaden Fulsher then made it on base off of a fielder's choice to put runners at first and third. Sean Pettener did his job and batted in Charboneau with a single to the shortstop. The Oaks final two runs would come in the 5th inning after two runners were on base from a Zach Dyer walk and a DJ Scott single. Carter Harris hit the ball hard to the 3rd baseman who was unable to get the throw in time, scoring Dyer and making it 4-1. Scott would later score the 5th run for the Oaks off of a ground out from Charboneau. Unfortunately, the Warriors protected their home field and came from behind in the final two innings to out score Menlo, 5-7.
Nolan Rodriguez started on the mound for Menlo and went 4.2 innings pitched with 5 strikeouts against 18 at-bats. Charles Williams would come in for an inning and add 4 more strikeouts over the Warriors. Anthony Tellez would account for the loss after coming in for the final innings.
Game 2: Menlo 3 - 16 Jessup
The Warriors would really pick up the offense in the final game of the first conference road trip of the season. Jessup would go up 0-2 going into the 2nd inning when Menlo earned their first run. Two strikeouts put the Oaks in a tough position but they were able to rally, beginning with a Jaden Fulsher single to left field. After stealing second base, Jake Warkentine had a runner in scoring position. Jake hit a line drive down the right field line for a double and to score Fulsher and make it 1-2. One more run would follow in the 3rd inning when Carter Harris singled to right field and scored DJ Scott who was walked and eventually stole second. Another rally would ensue in the 5th inning leaving runners at first and second with Carter Harris up to bat. A sacrifice fly out to left field would be enough to bring home Dominic Anderson-Nakagawa to bring the score to 3-13. The Warriors offense proved to be much stronger after they were able to finish out the game in a 3-16 win.
Up Next….
Menlo Baseball's next conference series will be against Hope International beginning with a single-game on Friday, March 1 at 2pm. Then a doubleheader will follow on Saturday, March 2 at 11am!
