ATHERTON, CA – Menlo's home series weekend continued into Monday as Softball hosted NCAA Division II #16 Northwest Nazarene at Wunderlich field. Game one was a tight race to the very end but fell in favor of the Nighthawks, 0-1. In Game two, Northwest had found their rhythm and shut out the Oaks while scoring 7 runs. This was a great opportunity for Menlo to see another Division II opponent mid-season and the Oaks showed some great game play! The GSAC will take Easter weekend off before jumping back into conference play in April!
Game 1: Menlo 0 - 1 Northwest Nazarene
Vivian Valencia started in the circle for the Oaks and held her ground! Valencia went all 7 innings pitched with 3 strikeouts against 25 batters faced. She also did not walk any Nighthawks and had 7 hits against. Vivian continues to lead the Oaks pitching staff in strikeouts and ERA now with 36 strikeouts and a 3.44 ERA. Vivian has been in the circle for 5 seasons with the Oaks and will be truly missed after this season!
Menlo earned 4 hits across the 7 innings played in the morning. Two would come off of Jolena Velasquez's bat in the 4th and 6th innings. Aliya Lubrin and Grace Tuiteleleapaga would each also earn a hit against Northwest but the Oaks were unable to bring any across home plate. Defensively, Menlo looked solid only allowing 1 run to score off of 7 hits from the Nighthawks. Left fielder Grace Christian made a game-changing catch in the 2nd inning following the Northwestern run, when the next batter hit it over the left field fence. But Christian's expert read on the ball and excellent footwork got her there in time for the catch and the robbery of a home run!
Game 2: Menlo 0 - 7 Northwest Nazarene
Menlo would only be able to earn 4 hits against the Nighthawks in game two compared to their 8 hits. Alexandra Attard, Alyssa Donovan, Grace Christian, and Lara Edeker would be the Oaks to get the ball in play however no others were able to follow with anything. Christian had a double to right field in the 4th inning with 2 outs on her but did not advance from there. Menlo's strong looking defense was no match to the hitting from Nazarene who seemed to find every gap on the field.
Brianna Gonzalez started in game two for Menlo and went 4.0 innings pitched, 1 strikeouts, 0 walks, and 6 runs (4 earned). Madison Nelson would then come in for the final 3 innings and allow 1 more run against.
Up Next…..
Oaks Softball will return to Wunderlich for their final home series of the regular season to face off Hope International on Friday, April 5 at 11am. Then, the annual Senior Ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 6 starting at 11:30am before their doubleheader against the Lions of Vanguard University at 12pm!
