ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Baseball capped off their four-game series against Biola University with an explosive finish on Saturday, securing a 13-10 win in the finale to walk away with a 2-2 PacWest series split. The series was marked by a flurry of offense on both sides, with the Oaks racking up 11 home runs over the weekend, including five from Justin Flannery, who continued his red-hot tear at the plate.
Oaks Outliers
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Justin Flannery: 6-9, 7 RBI, 4 runs, 2 walks, a HR, a double, a stolen base
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Matt Morrison: 2-4, 3 RBI, 1 run, 1 HR (Game 1)
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Samuel Brewer: 4-8, 3 RBI, 2 runs
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Jaden Fulsher: 3-5, 1 run
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Zach Dyer: 1-3, 2 walks, 1 run
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Ramone Valenzuela: 1-4, 2 RBI, 1 run (Game 2)
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Richard Kiel: 1.0 IP (relief), 2 K, 1 BB
Game 1: Menlo 7 - 10 Biola
In Saturday's opener, Biola jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first and added two more in the second to put Menlo in an early hole. Despite trailing 8-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Oaks launched a spirited rally behind a three-run home run from Matt Morrison, his second of the series, and an RBI single by Flannery to bring it within one.
However, Biola capitalized on a Menlo defensive miscue in the eighth to tack on two insurance runs. Menlo loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame, but a clutch pick off by Biola's catcher halted the comeback. Despite Flannery's 3-for-5 day at the plate and 15 Menlo hits, the Oaks came up just short, falling 10-7.
Landon Rowland started on the bump for the Oaks and went 4.0 IP. Chase Barsotti pitched in relief for 3.0 innings and earned a strikeout before Sam Grannes was able to close out the final two innings.
Game 2: Menlo 13 - 10 Biola
Menlo wasted no time responding in the series finale. The Oaks erupted for five runs in the first inning, sparked by a two-RBI double from Zach Dyer on a two out rally. A two-run double by Ramone Valenzuela scored Jaden Fulsher and Dyer shortly after. One more single to left center from Bradley Morris did the job and scored Valenzuela to increase the Oaks lead.
The Oaks rallied for four more runs in the third with a pair of RBI knocks from Justin Flannery and Samuel Brewer. That inning left the Oaks with some breathing room. Biola clawed back with a two-run fourth inning and three more in the sixth, but the Menlo bats refused to let up. In the bottom of the sixth, Jackson Gomes delivered an RBI single before Flannery crushed his fifth home run of the weekend, a three-run blast to left, to blow the game open and seal the 13-10 victory.
Trey Silva got the start in game two and held his own on the mound. He pitched for 3 innings and only allowed 5 hits and 3 runs. After 73 pitches, Brandon Moreno came in for an inning and allowed 4 hits and 4 runs, 2 of them earned. Donovan Kerr, who was credited with the win, pitched for 2.0 innings and earned a strikeout and only allowed 3 runs off of 3 hits. In the final inning, the Oaks ace, Richard Kiel, would save the day with two strikeouts and a flyout to win the game for the Oaks.
Up Next
The Oaks are home for their final PacWest series of the season against the Warriors of Westmont College starting with a doubleheader on Friday, April 18th at 11am. Saturday, April 19th will be Senior Day so mark your calendars!
