HAYWARD, CA – Menlo Baseball opened the 2026 season Friday afternoon at CSU East Bay, and the Oaks delivered an exciting performance in their first game of the year. In a contest filled with momentum swings and late drama, Menlo built an early lead and held on down the stretch to secure a hard-earned 9-8 victory over the Pioneers, giving Head Coach Mike Givens a 1-0 start to the 2026 campaign.
Oak Statistical Leaders
Matt Morrison: 4-5, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored
Oliver Hogan: 1-2, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3 runs scored
Daniel Aguilera: 3-4, 2 RBI, 1 SB
Marcus McClenon: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 run scored
Jackson Garcia: 1 win, 2 K, 0 H, 3.0 IP
Henry Robison: 0.1 IP, 1 save
Givens Earns First Win as Oaks Hold Off Late Rally
Menlo wasted no time getting on the board in the opening inning, manufacturing a run when Oliver Hogan came around to score on a productive pop-up off the bat of Jack van Gorkum that resulted in an RBI and an error by the catcher. CSU East Bay answered in the bottom half with a run of its own, but the Oaks broke things open in the third. Marcus McClenon sparked the rally with a double, followed by another double from Shane Aldridge to put pressure on the defense. Hogan delivered a sacrifice fly, Matt Morrison added an RBI single, and DJ Cardinal and Daniel Aguilera each drove in runs to cap a four-run inning and give Menlo a 5-1 lead.
The Oaks continued to add on in the middle innings. In the sixth, McClenon came through with an RBI single to extend the lead to 6-3. Hogan launched a solo home run to left in the seventh, and Aguilera later added another RBI single to push the advantage to 8-3. Morrison's RBI single in the ninth plated an insurance run, giving Menlo a 9-5 cushion heading into the final frame.
CSU East Bay mounted a late push in the bottom of the ninth, scoring three runs and bringing the tying run on base. The Oaks turned to Henry Robison to close it out, and he recorded the final out with runners aboard to secure the victory. Jackson Garcia earned the win with three strong, hitless innings in relief, helping stabilize the game through the middle frames as Menlo held off the Pioneers' comeback attempt.
Up Next
The Oaks host their home opener tomorrow, Saturday, February 7, at Cartan Field, with first pitch scheduled for 11am. Menlo will look to build on its opening-day momentum in another single-game matchup.
