ROCKLIN, CA – Menlo Softball dropped both ends of a non-conference doubleheader to PacWest opponent Jessup University on Friday afternoon. Despite a late-game surge in Game One, the Oaks fell narrowly, 3-4, before Jessup controlled Game Two to take a 9-2 win.

Oak Stars

• Grace Christian: 3-8, 1 run scored

• Emma Medina: 3-8, 1 RBI, a double

• Aliya Lubrin: 3-3, 1 RBI,  1 run scored, a double

• Alexandra Attard: 1-3, 2 RBI

• Tacia Kahalewai: 3-7

• Alexia Lozano: 3-6

• Shelby White: 11.2 IP, 2 K, 19 H, 13 R

GAME 1: Jessup 4, Menlo 3

A quiet start from both offenses turned into a tense late-game showdown in the opener. The scoring began in the top of the 4th when Tacia Kahalewai ripped a hard-hit single to shortstop. Aleatha Buchner entered as a pinch runner and came around to score following a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt by Makayla Mentzer, which drew a throwing error and gave Menlo a 1-0 lead.

Jessup responded in the bottom of the 5th with a 4-run outburst to flip the script. Down but not out, the Oaks rallied in the 7th. Hits from Jolena Velasquez and Grace Christian put pressure on the Warriors, and Emma Medina delivered a clutch double to right center to score Velasquez. Aliya Lubrin followed with a sacrifice fly to bring in Christian and cut the deficit to 3-4.

With two runners still on base, Kahalewai came through again with a single to right. Medina, representing the tying run, was waved home but was thrown out at the plate on a strong relay by Jessup, sealing the one-run loss. Shelby White pitched a complete game for Menlo, going 6.0 innings with 1 strikeout, 4 walks, and 4 earned runs on 8 hits.

GAME 2: Jessup 9, Menlo 2

The second game saw Jessup take full control in the later innings. The Oaks' offense found its spark in the 2nd inning. After two quick outs, Ally Donovan singled and Aliya Lubrin doubled to set up Alexandra Attard, who came through with a clutch single up the middle to drive in both runners and give Menlo a brief 2-0 lead.

That would be all the Oaks could muster, however, as Jessup scored three runs in the 5th and exploded for five more in the 6th. White returned to the circle, tossing 5.2 innings with a strikeout and three walks, allowing all 9 runs on 11 hits. Rosaline Torralva entered in relief and recorded the final out on a fly ball.

Up Next….

Menlo Softball returns home to Wunderlich Field for a PacWest 4-game series with Academy of Art starting with a doubleheader on Friday, April 11th at 12pm.