LA MIRADA, CA – Menlo College Baseball traveled to La Mirada for another PacWest series, this time against the Eagles of Biola University, kicking things off with a Saturday doubleheader. Despite multiple home runs and several strong individual performances at the plate, the Oaks were unable to secure a win in either contest.
Oak Statistical Leaders
DJ Cardinal (G1): 2-4, 1 RBI, 2 runs scored, 1 BB, 1 HR, 1 SB
Noah Morton (G1): 1-2, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 2 runs scored, 1 HR
Lakin Anderson (G1): 1-1, 3 RBI, 1 HR (pinch-hit)
Oliver Hogan (G1): 2-4, 1 SB
Shane Aldridge (G1+2): 2-6, 1 BB, 1 RBI
Adan Viner (G2): 2-3
Noah Pang (G2): 1-2, 1 run scored
Game One: Menlo 5 - 12 Biola
Menlo struck first in game one, using the long ball to build early momentum. After a quiet opening frame, the Oaks erupted in the top of the second as DJ Cardinal launched a solo shot to right field. Two batters later, Noah Morton followed with a solo blast of his own to center, giving Menlo a 2-0 advantage. The Oaks continued to pressure on the bases, drawing walks and swiping bags, including steals from Cardinal and Oliver Hogan.
On the mound, Menlo's pitching staff worked around traffic in the early innings, stranding runners in both the first and second frames. However, the third inning proved costly. Biola capitalized on an error that opened the door to four unearned runs, turning a 2-0 deficit into a 2-4 lead. The Eagles added two more in the fifth and extended the margin further in the seventh and eighth, taking advantage of defensive miscues to score additional unearned runs.
Trailing late, Menlo showed resilience in the eighth inning. Cardinal singled and Morton walked to set the stage for Lakin Anderson's pinch-hit three-run homer down the left field line, cutting the deficit to 5-9. The Oaks collected three hits in the frame and continued to battle, but Biola answered in the bottom half to widen the gap. Menlo's offense finished with timely power, but defensive errors and unearned runs ultimately proved decisive in the 5-12 final.
Game Two: Menlo 1 - 11 Biola
In the second game of the doubleheader, Menlo again found itself playing from behind early. Biola used three hits in the bottom of the first to plate the game's opening run, then took advantage of two Menlo errors in the second inning to extend the lead to 0-3. The Oaks' defense settled in over the next two frames, but the early deficit loomed large.
Menlo broke through in the third inning. Noah Pang singled to spark the rally, and Shane Aldridge delivered an RBI single to center. Aggressive baserunning and a Biola throwing error allowed Aldridge to advance to third, trimming the score to 1-3. Adan Viner added a pair of hits in the contest, providing consistency in the middle of the lineup, but the Oaks were unable to string together a multi-run inning.
The Eagles put the game out of reach in the sixth, stringing together seven runs on seven hits, including a home run and multiple RBI singles. Menlo utilized several arms out of the bullpen in an effort to halt the surge, but Biola's offense maintained pressure throughout the inning. Despite continued effort at the plate and solid individual contributions, the Oaks fell 1-11 in the nightcap.
Up Next…
Menlo will look to regroup and clean up defensive miscues as the series continues, building on the offensive power displayed throughout Saturday's action.
