ATHERTON, CA – Oaks Softball made history on Tuesday, earning its first-ever victory as a Division II program in a thrilling doubleheader against Simon Fraser. In their home opener, the Oaks displayed determination and resilience, splitting the series with a dominant 3-0 shutout win in Game 1 before falling in a close battle in Game 2. 1-2. This milestone win sets the stage for what Menlo hopes will be a season of continued success in the PacWest Conference.
Key Moments from the Doubleheader
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Game 1: Menlo shut out Simon Fraser 3-0, securing the program's first-ever DII victory.
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Game 2: A tightly contested matchup saw Simon Fraser edge Menlo 1-2.
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Alexandra Attard: 2-3, 1 RBI, 1 run scored
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Makayla Mentzer: 1-2, 1 walk, 1 RBI
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Shelby White: started Game 1 and pitched a complete-game shutout with 1 strikeout a 1 walk.
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Brianna Padilla: dominated in the circle in Game 2, pitching a complete-game with four strikeouts.
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Menlo's Defense held Simon Fraser to just five hits in the opening game.
Game 1: Menlo 3 - 0 Simon Fraser
Menlo came out firing in Game 1, determined to make a statement in their home opener after just facing the Red Leaves a few days ago during the Tournament of Champions. Pitcher Shelby White was the star of the game, delivering a dominant performance by scattering five hits across seven innings while striking out one. The Oaks' defense was spot on, only performing 2 errors, ensuring Simon Fraser never found a rhythm at the plate.
Offensively, Menlo capitalized on key opportunities, plating three runs to secure their historic win. A well-placed RBI single to left center field from Grace Christian scored Jolena Velasquez in the second inning to set the tone. One more run came in the third inning when Makayla Mentzer scored Emma Medina with a single to up the score to 2-0. Following that hit, the Oaks had all the insurance they needed with one more RBI single up the middle from Alexandra Attard to score Mentzer for the third run of the game. With the final out recorded, Menlo celebrated a defining moment in the program's DII journey.
Game 2: Menlo 1 - 2 Simon Fraser
Looking to build on their Game 1 success, the Oaks entered Game 2 with confidence. Menlo began scoring early with a run in the top of the 1st thanks to an error by the Red Leaves right fielder to score Gabrielle Rodriguez. After that, Simon Fraser responded with timely hitting, taking advantage of a couple of defensive miscues from the Oaks to push ahead.
Despite solid pitching from Brianna Padilla and continued offensive pressure, Menlo was unable to complete the comeback, ultimately falling 1-2. The team remained competitive throughout, proving that they are ready to compete at the DII level.
Looking Ahead
With their first DII victory now in the books, Menlo turns its attention to PacWest Conference play. The Oaks will look to build on their success and continue their growth throughout the season, beginning with a series against Azusa Pacific with a doubleheader on Friday, February 21st at 4pm and 6pm. Tuesday's doubleheader showed their ability to rise to the occasion, and this is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting year for Menlo Softball.
