Turlock, CA-Menlo Baseball was looking forward to their second weekend of action in what was a scheduled home and home matchup with Stanislaus State. Unfortunately, with the weather refusing to cooperate the Oaks would instead spend their Saturday afternoon on the road for a double-header against the Warriors.
Game One: Menlo 8, Stanislaus 9
The first game of the day was an exciting one fueled by plenty of offense and multiple lead changes. The Oaks would strike first in the second inning, jumping out to a 2-0 lead thanks to timely hitting by Jake Warkentien and Jaden Fulsher. The duo would notch back to back singles to drive in runs and get Menlo on the board. The Warriors would also get a runner across home plate in the bottom of the second to get the score to 2-1. Menlo's bats would stay hot into the third inning with Sean Pettener launching a double into center field to drive in two more runs. Warkentien would also single again for his second hit of the day and drive Pettener in. Despite a 5-1 lead, Stanislaus would refuse to go away with four unanswered runs across the third and fourth innings of play. The Oaks would have one last big push in them with three runs scored across the sixth and seventh inning of play. This time it would be a trio of Sage Pera, Jake Koeper and DJ Scott would all be responsible for the Oaks' additional points. Pera would come up with a big sacrifice fly out to right field. Koeper would display solid patience at the plate to draw a walk and get a run scored and Scott would add a double to his resume as well. Unfortunately, that would be the final points of the game for Menlo. Despite an 8-5 lead into the eighth inning, the Warriors had one final burst in them and would score four unanswered runs and finally pull out the win in the 10th inning of play.
Game Two: Menlo 5, Menlo 18
The second game of the day would be a tough outing for the Oaks. Menlo would strike first with the team capitalizing on mistakes made by the Warriors as freshman Carter Harris would score. Harris has been a revelation for the Oaks particularly when it comes to his base running ability. Harris has already put together multiple steals and runs scored on the year. Late in the game senior catcher Dominic Anderson-Nakagawa was also a bright spot for Menlo. He would single down the left field line late in the game to drive in a pair of runs.
Up Next…
The Oaks will be back on the field for a three game series next weekend against Cal State East Bay. Menlo has moved to 3-3 on the year but the offense in particular has looked sharp overall across all six games. Menlo has been able to put up at least five runs in each game including 13 runs in the season opener. Their is plenty of baseball to be had this season and look to coach Hoover's squad to get back to their winning ways soon!
