ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Baseball opened PacWest Conference play Friday morning with a doubleheader against Hawai'i Hilo Vulcans at Cartan Field in Atherton, California. After an exciting day of baseball, the Oaks split the opening twin bill, earning a dominant victory in Game One before dropping a tightly contested Game Two to move to 1-1 in conference play.

Fireworks at Cartan

Shane Aldridge: 2-4, 4 RBI, 2 runs scored, 1 BB, grand slam, SB

Samuel Brewer: 2-4, 4 RBI, 2 runs scored, 1 BB, grand slam

Daniel Aguilera: 2-5, 3 RBI, 1 run scored, 2B

DJ Cardinal: 2-3, 1 RBI, 3 runs scored, 1 BB

Noah Pang: 2-3, 3 RBI, 3 runs scored, 3-run HR

Matt Morrison: 1-4, 2 RBI, 3 runs scored, 2B

Oliver Hogan: 1-3, 1 BB, 2 runs scored, 2B

Marcus McClenon: 1-2, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 2 runs scored, 2B

Matthew Verdugo (G1): 5.0 IP, 3 K, 6 H, 1 R, 2 BB, Win

Dominic Hernandez (G2): 6.1 IP, 3 K, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB

Game One: Menlo 20 - 5 Hawai'i Hilo 

Game One quickly turned into an offensive showcase for the Oaks. After Hawai'i Hilo struck first with a solo home run in the top of the opening frame, Menlo settled in and flipped the momentum in the second inning. DJ Cardinal sparked the rally with a single, and after a hit-by-pitch and walk loaded the bases, Marcus McClenon brought home the tying run. That set the stage for Shane Aldridge, who crushed a grand slam to right field, igniting the dugout and handing Menlo a 5-1 advantage.

The Oaks continued to apply pressure in the third. Matt Morrison reached on an error before Samuel Brewer singled to set up Daniel Aguilera's RBI double to left. Cardinal followed with a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 7-1. Aggressive baserunning and disciplined at-bats kept the Vulcans' pitching staff on its heels, as Menlo consistently found ways to move runners and capitalize on defensive miscues.

The biggest inning came in the fifth, when the Oaks erupted for nine runs on six hits. Cardinal drew a walk to start the rally, and Noah Pang's infield single forced an error that plated another run. McClenon roped an RBI double to right center, Morrison added a two-run double to left, and Aguilera delivered a two-run single to stretch the margin even further. Pang then delivered the knockout blow, launching a three-run homer to left field that pushed the score to 16-1 and brought the home crowd to its feet. Menlo wasn't done. In the sixth, Brewer put the finishing touches on the offensive explosion with a towering grand slam to left, scoring Morrison, Hogan, and Aldridge. The Oaks finished the game with 20 runs, powered by two grand slams and a three-run homer, showcasing both depth and timely hitting throughout the lineup.

On the mound, Matthew Verdugo provided stability after the first-inning homer. The right-hander tossed five innings, allowing just one run while striking out three to earn the win. He worked efficiently through traffic in the second and third innings, stranding multiple runners and keeping Hawai'i Hilo from building momentum. The bullpen weathered a four-run sixth, but the damage was minimal given Menlo's commanding lead. Defensively, the Oaks turned in several clean innings and controlled the running game, rounding out a complete performance in the 20-5 statement victory.

Game Two: Hawai'i Hilo 4 - 0 Menlo

Game Two presented a stark contrast, evolving into a pitching duel through the first six innings. The Vulcans capitalized on a Menlo error in the first to score an unearned run, which proved pivotal in a low-scoring contest. The Oaks threatened early when Morrison doubled in the first and again in the sixth when Aldridge ripped a double and advanced to third, but Hawai'i Hilo's pitching staff escaped each jam.

Dominic Hernandez kept Menlo within reach, turning in 6.1 solid innings while allowing three earned runs on five hits and striking out three. He navigated key moments with poise, including a caught stealing in the sixth that erased a baserunner. However, Hawai'i Hilo broke through in the seventh with three runs on a pair of extra-base hits and a sacrifice fly to create separation. Jacob Baca would close out the final two outs with a clean sheet. Menlo managed a late single in the bottom of the seventh but was unable to mount a comeback, falling 4-0. Despite the setback, the Oaks demonstrated resilience across the doubleheader and will look to carry the offensive momentum from Game One into the remainder of the series. 

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