ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Softball hosted the Vanguard Lions for a final home Conference matchup on Saturday. Despite the Oaks bringing good energy on Senior Day to the field and plate, the Lions were able to pull off victories in both games of the doubleheader. The remainder of the 2024 season will be on the road for Menlo Softball who need to win out in order to qualify for the GSAC Championship Tournament.
Game 1: Menlo 4 - 12 Vanguard
The Lions were firing off right away in the first inning and were able to bring in 5 runs. Menlo responded immediately and was able to also get runs across the plate early. It began in the 1st when Emma Medina took her second pitch to the bicep to make it to first base. Aliya Lubrin followed with a 4-pitch walk to set up Alyssa Donovan who was next up to the plate. The freshman singled up the middle to load up the bases and give the Oaks a chance. It would be Grace Tuiteleleapaga who got the ball in play and forced a fielder's choice followed by an error to score Medina and Lubrin to make it 2-5. Menlo continued their rhythm and brought in Makayla Mentzer in the bottom of the second, off of a Medina single up the middle, to inch their way closer to the Lions. From there it was clear that Vanguard was going to win the ball game but that did not stop the Oaks from fighting to stay alive. Menlo's final run of the day would come in the 6th inning. Maya Bivens-Sommerville led off the inning with a double down the right field line and Lara Edeker would earn a walk to land two Oaks on base. Coach Skylynne Ellazar called a smart decoy play to score for Menlo by calling Edeker to attempt to steal second. This would give Sommerville enough time to take off from third and score! It was a smart base running play that was perfectly executed.
The three seniors that were honored earlier in the day would be the three to own the circle for game one on the Oaks side. Brianna Gonzalez started and would take the loss before Ayanna Rubio would step in and find her control. Rubio went 2.2 innings pitched with 4 strikeouts, 1 walk, and one run scored. Then the closer, Vivian Valencia, would go the final 3 innings and tally up 3 more strikeouts.
Game 2: Menlo 0 - 1 Vanguard
Game two was kept much tighter between both teams who had fantastic defensive plays. Menlo and the Lions each earned 4 hits and Vanguard would be the team to earn a single run for the victory. Two of the Oaks hits came off of Bella Cortez's bat with Grace Christian and Alyssa Donovan also creating some action. Bella had two singles up the middle, one in the 2nd inning and one in the 7th. Alyssa Donovan singled in the bottom of the 3rd into left field but no other offense came from Menlo. Then Grace Christian doubled down the left field line after the left fielder attempted a diving catch but was just a bit too late. Christian would advance to third but could not come home.
Shelby White would be able to pitch the full game and struck 3 batters out across the 7 innings. White only allowed one run across and would be a part of many defensive put-outs.
Up Next……
Next week, Menlo Softball is on the road in Arizona. The weekend begins on Friday, April 12 at 4:30pm for a doubleheader against Arizona Christian in Phoenix, AZ. Then Saturday will begin at 11am in Surprise, AZ to see OUAZ for another two games.
