ATHERTON, CA – On a day dedicated to celebrating the legacy and impact of its 13 graduating seniors, Menlo Baseball delivered one of its most memorable moments in recent program history. Carter Harris smashed a walk-off home run on a full count in the bottom of the seventh inning, propelling the Oaks to a dramatic 3-1 victory over # 4 Westmont College in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader at Cartan Field.
The emotional win capped off a rollercoaster day in front of a packed Senior Day crowd, honoring a class that helped shape the program on and off the field. With the energy high and emotions even higher, the Oaks came out swinging - literally and figuratively.
After the doubleheader, Menlo celebrated its 13 seniors in a heartfelt postgame ceremony. These players have been instrumental in building the culture, work ethic, and brotherhood that define Menlo Baseball. Their contributions were recognized by teammates, families, and fans alike in a moment that will not soon be forgotten.
Oak Standouts
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Carter Harris: 2-3, 2 RBI, 1 run, walk-off homerun, a stolen base
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Chase Hilde: 1-1, 2 RBI, 1 run, a homerun
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Ramone Valenzuela: 1-2, 1 RBI, a double
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Braydon Allie: 0-3, 1 run, a walk
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Jaden Fulsher: 1-3, a double
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Samuel Brewer: 2-2, 1 run, 1 stolen base
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Zach Dyer: 1-3, 1 RBI
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Charles Williams: 1.0 IP, 2 K, 0 BB, 0 H
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Chase Barsotti: 3.0 IP, 6 K, 2 BB, 1 H, 1 R
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Anthony Tellez: 4.0 IP, 2 K, 0 BB, 1 H, 0 R
Game 1: Westmont 14, Menlo 3
Despite a 14-3 loss in Game 1, the Oaks showed flashes of fight and resilience against a stacked Westmont lineup. After the Warriors put up a 5-run inning in the second and followed with four more in the third, Menlo refused to back down. Highlights included an RBI double from Ramone Valenzuela and a solo homer from Chase Hilde. Though the gap was too wide to close, Menlo's late-game defense and bullpen held Westmont scoreless over the final two innings, setting the tone for Game 2.
Landon Rowland started on the mound and started strong despite questionable calls from the umpire staff. After 3.0 innings, Nick Liechty would get his senior day appearance for an inning. Following him was Matthew Verdugo who did his job well. Two more seniors would get their opportunities at the mound for an inning including Brandon Moreno who got a strikeout. Charles Williams struck out 2 Warrior batters and did not allow a hit or run to close the final inning and game.
Game 2: Westmont 1, Menlo 3
The second game was a different story. Behind stellar pitching from Chase Barsotti and a lockdown bullpen, the Oaks kept Westmont to just one run, courtesy of a solo homer in the second inning. Menlo tied things up in the bottom of the fourth when Zach Dyer, on a two-out rally, drove in Samuel Brewer, who had singled and stolen second. That knotted the game 1-1 and turned the rest into a classic pitcher's duel.
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, the stage was set for a storybook ending. Carter Harris stepped up and worked the count full before launching a no-doubter over the right field fence, sending the Oaks crowd and dugout into a frenzy. It was the perfect exclamation mark on Senior Day and a massive win against one of the nation's top teams.
Chase Barsotti earned the start in Game Two and did a phenomenal job across 3.0 innings. Barsotti struck out 6 batters, walked 2, and only allowed the home run shot. Anthony Tellez closed out the final 4.0 innings and struck out two more. He held his control and did not walk a single batter, only allowed one hit, and did not let the runner pass home plate.
Up Next…
The Oaks have one final home PacWest doubleheader on Thursday, April 24th at 11am against the Sunbirds of Fresno Pacific where they will take on a familiar face, Ethan Baird!
