TURLOCK, CA – On Friday evening, Menlo Softball opened play at the Stan State Invitational, a highly competitive NCAA Division II event featuring strong regional programs. Facing Saint Martin's University in their first matchup of the tournament, the Oaks were held scoreless and fell 0-8 in six innings to begin the weekend slate.
Oak Statistical Leaders
Oaks Look to Rebound
Competing in one of Division II's most competitive early-season tournaments, the Oaks opened play Friday evening against Saint Martin's. Menlo threatened early, getting a first-inning single from Alina Perez, but the offense struggled to capitalize as the Saints worked out of the frame unscathed. The Oaks again found a spark in the third when Aleatha Buchner singled up the middle, but she was later caught stealing to end the inning, keeping the game scoreless through three.
Saint Martin's broke through in the bottom of the second, using a walk and an RBI single to take a 0-1 lead. Menlo's defense held firm in the third, but the Saints added to their advantage in the fourth. A run-scoring ground-rule double, followed by an error that allowed two unearned runs to cross, pushed the deficit to 0-4. The Oaks continued to battle at the plate, stringing together hits in the sixth as Sydney Costello and Buchner singled back-to-back, but the rally stalled before a run could come home. In the bottom half of the sixth, Saint Martin's sealed the game. A leadoff single, a pair of RBI hits, and a two-run home run extended the lead to 0-8, ending the contest in run-rule fashion. Despite the result, Buchner led the offensive effort with two hits, while Perez and Costello each contributed base knocks in the tournament opener.
Pitching Staff
In the circle, the Oaks relied on a pitching staff that worked through constant pressure against a disciplined Saint Martin's lineup. Starter Rosaline Torralva kept the game close early, limiting damage through the first three innings before traffic on the bases led to runs in the middle frames. Reliever Alysia Elizarrey entered in the fourth and battled through multiple scoring threats, working to contain the Saints' offense and keep the Oaks within reach as the defense continued to compete behind her.
Up Next
The Oaks will look to regroup as tournament play continues Saturday at the Stan State Invitational with games at 9am and 4:30pm, aiming to bounce back and build momentum against another tough field of Division II competition.
