FULLERTON, CA. – Menlo Softball was at Hope International's home field of Bastanchury Park to face off Avila University on Thursday before a pair of GSAC opponents would follow for the rest of the weekend. The first game of the doubleheader fell in favor of the Avila Eagles by a slim 3-4 margin. Menlo responded immediately in game two and took the victory by a score of 11-4 after going through 8 innings. The extra-inning team victory must feel great going back into conference play!
Game 1: Menlo 3 - 4 Avila
The Eagles would begin game one with back to back homers in the first inning to take an early lead, 0-2. The 2nd inning would bring in another run for Avila after a wild pitch advanced all base runners to bring the score up to 0-3. The Oaks followed in the 2nd with a pair of runs after center fielder Aliya Lubrin singled to right field to score Grace Tuiteleleapaga. A throwing error from the right fielder would also score Lara Edeker to inch Menlo closer in the score, 2-3. One more homerun from Avila in the 3rd inning would give them the 2-4 lead and ultimately be the game-winning run. Menlo continued to fight back but were unable to build momentum until the 5th inning. Bases were loaded after Jolena Velasquez reached on an error and both Aliya Lubrin and Bella Cortez were walked with Grace Christian up to bat. Christian flew out to center field for the sacrifice RBI. Even though the Oaks were unable to pull off the come-back, they still showed quality Softball moments that Coach Skylynne Ellazar can take away from.
Gabby De Leon began the day in the circle and went an inning pitched with 2 strikeouts, 3 runs, and 5 hits. Brianna Gonzalez would come in for the rest of the 6 innings totaling up 6 strikeouts, 1 run scored, and 4 hits allowed. Neither Oak allowed a walk across the 7 innings.
Game 2: Menlo 11 - 4 Avila (8 innings)
Menlo would enter the win column following game two after another battle in the box! Jolena Velasquez led off the first inning with a double to center field. First baseman Bella Cortez followed with a similar hit, trading places and scoring Velasquez to get the Oaks on the board. Grace Christian made it on base after a single to left field putting runners at first and third. Left fielder Lara Edeker then flew out to right field to score Cortez. One more RBI from Alexia Lozano scored Christian and gave Menlo a 3-0 lead. After Avila added a run in the bottom of the 2nd, Alexandra Attard began the 4th inning with her second home run of the season! The graduate student from Mountain View, CA has a .339 batting average so far and has totaled 21 hits, 12 RBI, 7 runs scored, and has now hit it over the fence twice. The homer would give Menlo a 4-1 lead before Avila responded back with 3 runs in the bottom of the 4th to tie the game at 4-4. The game would remain tied through the 7th, sending it the extra innings.
The Oaks were prepared to end this game victoriously and began a rally that would score 7 runs and ultimately win the game. The top of the 8th saw 5 hits and RBI's from Lara Edeker on two different occasions, Grace Tuiteleleapaga, Jolena Velasquez, Bella Cortez, and Maya Bivens-Sommerville. It was no question that Menlo was hungry to take the win!
Madison Nelson started in the circle for the Oaks in game two and went 3 innings pitched. Nelson totaled 2 strikeouts, 4 runs, and 0 walks. Shelby White came in during the top of the 4th inning and closed the game. Shelby earned 4 strikeouts, only 1 hit allowed, and 0 runs scored across 5 innings and would account for the win!
Up Next….
Oaks Softball wakes up for another day of doubleheader Softball on Friday, March 15th in Costa Mesa, CA to face off GSAC foe, the Lions of Vanguard University, beginning at 1pm!
