WAIPAHU, HI – Menlo College Baseball concluded their series against Hawai'i Pacific with a dramatic 10-9 extra-inning win in a rain-impacted finale. Persistent heavy rainfall throughout the day forced the cancellation of the fourth scheduled game, leaving the Oaks with a 2-1 series victory after only one seven-inning contest could be completed on the final day. Many Oaks contributed to today's success and Menlo returns to the Bay area with many positive takeaways. 

Oak Game Leaders

Oliver Hogan: 3-for-4, 3 RBI, 3 runs, 1 double, 1 home run

Shane Aldridge: 3-for-5, 2 RBI, 4 runs scored

Aiden van Kimmenaede: 0-for-3, 1 RBI, 2 walks, 1 run, 1 stolen base

Noah Pang: 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 sacrifice hit, 1 stolen base

Daniel Aguilera: 1-for-3, 1 run, 1 walk, 1 stolen base

Matt Morrison: 1-for-4, 1 RBI

Tyson Brown: 1-for-4, 1 run, 1 walk, 1 stolen base

Jacob Baca: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, Win

Sam Purgason: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 K, Save

Menlo 10 - 9 HPU (8-innings): Hogan's Power, Purgason's Save Propel Oaks to Victory

Menlo opened the scoring in the top of the first inning when Shane Aldridge singled and Oliver Hogan followed with a two-run home run to left field. Hawai'i Pacific answered quickly, tying the game in the bottom half and then taking a 2-5. The Oaks responded in the fourth, capitalizing on defensive miscues by the Sharks. Aldridge drove in two runs after reaching on an error, and Hogan delivered an RBI double to even the score at 5-5.

The Oaks regained the lead in the sixth inning as Matt Morrison lined an RBI single to right field and aggressive baserunning led to an additional unearned run, giving Menlo a 7-5 advantage. Hawai'i Pacific forced extra innings with a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 7-7 and extend the contest beyond regulation.

In the eighth inning, Menlo executed in key moments. Aldridge opened the frame with a single, and after Hogan was hit by a pitch, the Oaks advanced runners with a sacrifice. Aiden van Kimmenaede brought in the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice, and Noah Pang followed with an RBI single to extend the lead. Van Kimmenaede later stole home to give Menlo a three-run cushion. Hawai'i Pacific mounted a late rally, scoring twice in the bottom half, but reliever Sam Purgason entered and recorded the final outs to secure the 10-9 victory.

Up Next…

With the win, Menlo displayed resilience in all phases of the game, overcoming early deficits and navigating difficult weather conditions to secure a hard-fought series win on the road. They return to clear skies in Atherton with a short break before they host their next PacWest series against the Vanguard Lions on Friday, March 27th with a doubleheader at 11am.