ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Softball hosted Academy of Art in a PacWest doubleheader filled with grit, hustle, and late-inning drama. Despite staying competitive in both games, the Oaks dropped both ends of the doubleheader, falling 0-4 in a nine-inning opener and 0-2 in the nightcap.
Oak Standouts:
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Grace Christian: 1-3, 2 Stolen Base
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Tacia Kahalewai: 1-3, 1 walk
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Alexia Lozano: 2-4, 2 doubles
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Shelby White: 9.0 IP, 1 K, 1 BB, 2 ER, 7 H
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Destanee Perez: 7.0 IP, 2 K, 2 BB, 2 ER, 6 H
Game 1: Menlo 0 - 4 Art U
The series opener was a pitcher's duel for the ages, with both teams held scoreless through eight full innings. Menlo threatened several times, including a sixth-inning rally sparked by hits from Bella Cortez, Grace Christian, and Tacia Kahalewai, but strong defensive play by the Urban Knights kept the Oaks off the scoreboard.
The stalemate was broken in the top of the ninth, when Academy of Art loaded the bases and capitalized on a Menlo error. A two-RBI double followed by a pair of productive outs pushed four unearned runs across, putting the Oaks in a hole. Menlo attempted a final rally in the bottom half of the inning, but Academy of Art closed the door to seal the extra-inning victory.
Shelby White pitched brilliantly through regulation, with the Oaks defense turning in key plays behind her. The loss, however, came down to one difficult inning in an otherwise solid game.
Game 2: Menlo 0 - 2 Art U
The second game began with a similar tempo, as both teams were scoreless through the first three innings. Alexia Lozano led the way early for Menlo with a pair of doubles, while Aliya Lubrin and Alexandra Attard also added timely hits.
The Urban Knights struck first in the fourth with an RBI single, then added another in the sixth after a series of base hits. Despite base runners in the fifth and sixth, Menlo couldn't convert, and the Oaks were held to four hits overall.
Destanee Perez showed stamina in the circle, pitching through pressure situations and keeping the Oaks within striking distance.
Up Next….
Menlo Softball returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, April 12th, with continued PacWest play against the Urban Knights at Wunderlich Field starting at 12pm.
