ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Baseball battled hard at home against visiting former GSAC rival Westmont College, but ultimately dropped both ends of a Friday PacWest doubleheader at Cartan Field. Despite flashes of offensive production and some strong individual efforts, the Warriors prevailed 2-9 in Game One and 0-7 in Game Two.
Menlo Standouts
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Zach Dyer: 3-4, 1 run scored, a double (Game 1)
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Braydon Allie: 3-6, a double (Game 1 & 2)
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Matt Morrison: 1-4, a run scored (Game 1)
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Bradley Morris: 1-4, 1 RBI (Game 1)
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Nolan Rodriguez: 6.0 IP, 4 K, 1 BB, 12 H, 7 R (Game 1)
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Richard Kiel: 5.2 IP, 5 K, 3 BB, 8 H, 3 ER (Game 2)
Game One: Westmont 9, Menlo 2
Game One remained close through the first three innings, with both teams trading scoreless frames before Westmont exploded for five runs in the top of the fourth. A two-run homer and an RBI double broke things open for the Warriors.
Menlo responded with a two-run bottom half of the inning. Matt Morrison and Zach Dyer opened the rally with a single to right center and a double to left center. Both would come around to score off of a wild pitch and an RBI fielder's choice from Bradley Morris. Dyer's aggressive baserunning was a bright spot, as he later stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error in the sixth. However, Westmont tacked on four more insurance runs through the back half of the game. Menlo threatened late with hits from Justin Flannery and Braydon Allie in the ninth but couldn't push any more runs across.
Oaks fans saw Nolan Rodriguez start on the mound and do an exceptional job through 6.0 innings. Through his appearance, Rodriguez struck out 4 batters while only walking one. He allowed 12 hits and 7 earned runs. Donovan Kerr would come in to close the last 3.0 innings and earn two more strikeouts. Kerr only walked one Warrior and allowed 2 runs off of 4 hits.
Game Two: Westmont 7, Menlo 0
Game Two saw Westmont strike early with a solo homer in the first inning, and they never looked back. The big blow came in the sixth when the Warriors posted a six-run frame, capitalizing on multiple Menlo defensive miscues and stringing together key hits, including a two-run single and an RBI double. Menlo struggled to find rhythm offensively, managing just one hit in the bottom of the 7th to crush the Warrior pitcher's perfect game. Braydon Allie hit a stinger to shortstop, who attempted a diving play which certainly prevented extra bases, but could not get the out at first. Even with a short spark of hope, the Oaks could not capitalize.
Richard Kiel started in Game Two and struck out 5 batters in his 5.2 innings of work. He walked 3 batters, allowed 8 hits, and 4 runs, only 3 being earned. Sam Grannes closed out the final 1.1 innings and did his job getting ground outs and fly balls.
Senior Day Tomorrow!
Despite the setbacks, Menlo showed glimpses of grit and effort, particularly from its upperclassmen leaders. The Oaks will look to regroup and bounce back on Saturday, April 19th at 11am for another doubleheader at 11am. The Oaks will honor their 13 seniors at the end of the doubleheader around 5:30pm.
