ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Baseball closed out their opening PacWest series against the Hawai'i Hilo Vulcans on Saturday with a doubleheader at Cartan Field, earning a split on the day to finish the four-game set even at 2-2. The series marked the first PacWest action under new head coach Mike Given, and the Oaks responded with poise and competitiveness throughout the weekend. After dropping the opener on Saturday, Menlo regrouped with a complete performance in Game 2, showcasing resilience, depth on the mound, and timely hitting — an encouraging sign in Given's conference debut and a promising foundation to build on as PacWest play continues.
Oak Statistical Leaders
Oliver Hogan (G1): 0-2, 1 run scored, 1 BB
Noah Pang (G1+2): 2-6, 1 RBI, 3 runs scored, 1 BB, 1 2B, SB
DJ Cardinal (G2): 1-3, 2 runs scored
David Matthew (G2): 1-3, 2 RBI, 1 run scored
Marcus McClenon (G1+2): 3-6, 2 RBI, 1 run scored, SF
Daniel Aguilera (G2): 2-4, 2 2B
Nolan Rodriguez (G2): 5.0 IP, 5 K, 2 H, 3 BB, 0 ER, 1 win
Jackson Garcia (G2): 2.0 IP, 3 K, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB
Game 1: Hawai'i Hilo 12 - 3 Menlo
Menlo faced an early deficit in the opener, as Hawai'i Hilo scored twice in the first inning and broke the game open with a four-run third. The Oaks' pitching staff worked to limit additional damage, highlighted by a shutdown fifth inning that halted momentum and a key out at the plate in the fourth to keep the game within reach. Despite the early pressure, Menlo's defense turned a double play and managed several scoreless frames to steady the contest.
Offensively, Menlo found its rhythm in the fourth. Oliver Hogan reached on a walk and advanced into scoring position before Noah Pang delivered a run-scoring double to left center. Pang later came home on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to 2-6. The Oaks added another run in the ninth when a late rally was sparked by a hit batter and a single, followed by an RBI base knock to bring a runner home. Marcus McClenon chipped in with a base hit earlier in the game, but Menlo was ultimately unable to overcome the early surge and late insurance runs from the Vulcans.
Game 2: Menlo 7 - 1 Hawai'i Hilo
The Oaks bounced back in the series finale with a complete team performance, leaning on strong pitching, timely hitting, and opportunistic baserunning to secure the split. After falling behind 0-1 on an unearned run in the second, Menlo answered emphatically in the fourth inning. Daniel Aguilera set the tone with a double, and the Oaks strung together a series of quality at-bats. David Matthew delivered an RBI single through the left side to tie the game, Marcus McClenon followed with a sacrifice fly to put Menlo ahead, and additional pressure led to two more runs crossing the plate to cap a four-run inning.
Menlo kept the offense rolling in the fifth. DJ Cardinal reached base and came around to score, Pang's aggressive baserunning helped manufacture another run, and McClenon added an RBI single before Shane Aldridge brought home another on a base hit. The three-run frame extended the lead to 7-1 and gave the pitching staff a comfortable cushion.
On the mound, Nolan Rodriguez set the tone with five strong innings, allowing just two hits while striking out five and keeping the Vulcans off the scoreboard in earned runs. Jackson Garcia closed out the final two innings in dominant fashion, striking out three and not allowing a hit. Behind clean defensive play and consistent pressure at the plate, Menlo secured the 7-1 victory to split both the doubleheader and the four-game series.
Up Next….
Menlo Baseball is on the road for their next PacWest series in La Mirada, CA for a 4-game series with the Eagles of Biola University starting with a doubleheader on Friday, February 20th starting at 11am.
