ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Softball was back at home on Wunderlich field for a doubleheader against the Spirit of OUAZ on Friday. The Oaks looked fresh in the morning and tallied up a 5-1 victory before dropping game 2 in the afternoon. Brianna Gonzalez pitched another full game for her 7th win of the season! Menlo will be back at Wunderlich for another doubleheader on Saturday against the Firestorm of Arizona Christian.
Game 1: Menlo 5 - 1 OUAZ
Scoring began early between both sides during game one as the Spirit earned their one and only run in the 1st inning. Menlo responded quickly in the bottom of the inning with a double to right center from Maya Bivens-Sommerville to score Alexia Lozano from second following a two-out rally. From there on out, Menlo was able to shut-out OUAZ to the single run and were able to score the remaining security runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Freshman Alyssa Donovan had a day at the plate going 2 for 3 and scoring a run. The designated hitter led off the inning with a single to right center field and then stole second base the very next pitch to get in scoring position. Left fielder Grace Christian followed with a go-ahead double up the right field line to trade places with Donovan and give Menlo the lead at 2-1. 0
Next batter was Jolena Velasquez who was walked by the Spirit pitcher. With two Oaks on base, Alexia Lozano stepped up and doubled up the middle to bring home Christian and add to the score line. The final scoring play would come off of Maya Bivens-Sommerville bat after a single to left center field brought in Velasquez and Lozano to total up a 5-1 ball game.
Brianna Gonzalez held things down in the circle for the entire 7 innings played and earned her 7th win of the season. Gonzalez added 3 strikeouts to her season total of 34 and only walked one batter.
Game 2: Menlo 0 - 6 OUAZ
In game two, the Oaks had some trouble bringing home runners and went scoreless through 7 more innings. The Spirit earned all 6 of their runs off of 3 home runs in the 4th and 6th innings. Menlo earned 5 hits, two being from Aliya Lubrin, and left 7 on base. Aliya Lubrin has been a huge addition to the Oaks roster this season as she has become Menlo's most efficient base runner. Lubrin is second in the conference with 28 stolen bases, 2 bases being stolen from the OUAZ Spirit today. The Oaks also saw hits from Alyssa Donovan, Alexandra Attard, and Grace Christian but were unable to score off of them.
Gabby De Leon started in the circle for game two and went 3.2 innings pitched. Madison Nelson would come in and pitch for 1.2 innings before Ayanna Rubio closed out the final 1.2 innings. The three Oak pitchers totaled 2 strikeouts and 2 walks across 29 batters faced.
Up Next….
Menlo Softball is hoping for clear skies on Saturday, March 23 as they host a doubleheader against the Firestorm of Arizona Christian at Wunderlich field beginning at 12pm!
