HILO, HI – Menlo Baseball opened its final road series of the PacWest regular season with a doubleheader split against the University of Hawai'i at Hilo on Thursday. The Vulcans claimed game one with a 10–6 win, but the Oaks bounced back in the nightcap behind a strong pitching performance to secure a 2–0 shutout victory.
Menlo Standouts vs. Hawai'i Hilo
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Matt Morrison: 3-8, 3 RBI, 1 run, a double
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Justin Flannery: 3-7, 1 RBI, 2 runs, 2 walks, a stolen base
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Bradley Morris: 2-5, 2 walks, 1 run, a double
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Zch Dyer: 2-5, 2 RBI
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Donovan Kerr: 4.1 IP, 5 K, 1 BB, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 R (G1)
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Richard Kiel: 7.0 IP, 3 K, 0 BB, 5 H, 0 R
Game One: Hilo 10, Menlo 6
The opening game of the twin bill started off well for Menlo, with Matt Morrison ripping a two-out RBI double in the first to give the Oaks an early 1-0 lead. After Hilo evened the score in the bottom of the inning, Menlo surged again in the third with RBI knocks from Morrison and Zach Dyer to take a 3-1 lead. However, the Vulcans responded with a five-run outburst in the fourth inning, fueled by Menlo defensive miscues and clutch hitting from the middle of Hilo's lineup. Of the Vulcans' ten runs in the game, six were unearned, underscoring the impact of five Menlo errors.
Despite a late push in the ninth that saw the Oaks score three runs, the deficit proved too much. Morrison's third RBI and Justin Flannery's run-scoring double highlighted the rally, but it wasn't enough to close the gap. Nolan Rodriguez started on the mound for Menlo in game one and went 3.2 innings. He was able to strike a batter out, walked two, and allowed 7 hits and 9 runs, 4 being earned runs. Donovan Kerr would close out the final 4.1 innings with poise on the mound. The sophomore right handed pitcher struck out 5 batters and only walked one, and allowed just one unearned run off of 5 hits.
Game Two: Hilo 0, Menlo 2
In a complete turnaround from game one, Menlo's defense and pitching locked in during the nightcap. Bradley Morris, who went 2-2, with 2 walks, jump-started the offense with a double to lead off the second inning and later came around to score on Valenzuela's RBI single, putting the Oaks up 1-0. Valenzuela added a stolen base to his stat line, and Flannery's plate discipline helped load the bases in the second. Menlo's insurance run came in the top of the 7th when Matt Morrison singled down the right field line to move Dyer to third after he drew a walk. A wild pitch would score Dyer during Morris's at-bat who ended up singled to center field, giving Menlo the 2-0 cushion.
Menlo's ace Richard Kiel held firm the entire way. The Vulcans threatened in the first and again in the third, but timely outs and sharp command shut the door on each opportunity. Menlo earned a crucial double play with a ground ball hit to Carter Harris at shortstop who tossed it to Valenzuela, who was able to throw a laser to Matt Morrison, the first baseman who made an unbelievable stretch to get the out. That was all they needed. Kiel added 3 more strikeouts while minimizing walks to just one. The Oaks held the Vulcans scoreless for all seven innings, earning a clean and confidence-boosting 2-0 win to even the series.
Up Next….
Menlo Baseball will complete their inaugural NCAA DII season tomorrow, Saturday, May 3rd at Hawaii Hilo with one final doubleheader starting at 3pm PST!
