ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Softball hosted another PacWest Conference series on Monday afternoon, this week hosting Biola University for a doubleheader. The Oaks battled through a tightly contested 0-1 pitcher's duel in game one before falling 2-10 in five innings in game two. The Oaks showcased strong pitching and defensive resilience in the opener and responded with offensive fight in game two, competing hard across both contests as the conference series got underway. They will look to bounce back for an early morning doubleheader on Tuesday to finish the series.
Oak Statistical Leaders
Lela Yslava (G1): 7.0 IP, 1 K, 3 BB, 7 H, 1 ER
Alina Perez (G1): 1-3, 1 2B
Lucy Brooks (G1+2): 2-6, 1 SB
Sydney Costello (G1+2): 1-4, 1 RBI, 1 SF
Tacia Kahalewai (G2): 1-2, 1 run
Aleatha Buchner (G2): 1-2, 1 run
Emma Medina (G2): 1-2, 1 RBI
Game One: Biola 1 - 0 Menlo
Menlo opened its PacWest series with a tightly contested 0-1 loss in Monday's first game. The Eagles pushed across the only run of the afternoon in the top of the first inning, capitalizing on three hits and a Menlo throwing error to take an early lead. From there, the Oaks' defense settled in behind starter Lela Yslava, who delivered a complete-game performance. The right-hander scattered seven hits over seven innings, allowing just one earned run while stranding seven runners and working out of multiple jams to keep the deficit at one.
Menlo's defense tightened after the opening frame. The Oaks erased a third-inning threat with a caught stealing and a sharp lineout double play, and Yslava retired 10 of the final 11 batters she faced to give the offense a chance late.
Offensively, the Oaks generated opportunities but were unable to break through. Lucy Brooks sparked the fourth inning with a bunt single, and Alina Perez followed with a ground-rule double down the left-field line to put runners at second and third. However, the Eagles escaped the jam to preserve the shutout. Sydney Costello added a fifth-inning single, and Menlo put two aboard in the seventh with a walk and another free pass, but a flyout to right field ended the threat as the Oaks narrowly fell, 0-1.
Game Two: Biola 10 - 2 Menlo
In the second game of the doubleheader, Biola used a big first inning to seize control. The Eagles capitalized on walks, timely hitting, and a pair of Menlo miscues to plate eight runs in the opening frame. Despite the early deficit, the Oaks responded with resilience in the bottom of the second. Tacia Kahalewai ignited the rally with a single up the middle, and Aleatha Buchner followed with a base hit to put two aboard. Emma Medina delivered an RBI single to score Menlo's first run of the day, and Sydney Costello added a sacrifice fly to bring home another, trimming the deficit to 2-8. Brooks later swiped a base as the Oaks looked to build momentum.
Menlo's pitching staff worked to limit further damage after the first inning, with the defense turning in several clean frames highlighted by steady infield play and key fly-ball outs. However, the Eagles added single runs in the third and fourth innings to extend the lead. The Oaks continued to compete at the plate, collecting five hits in the contest, but Biola closed out the game in five innings with a 2-10 final.
Up Next…
Menlo Softball will look to regroup as the PacWest series continues against the Eagles on Tuesday, March 3rd at 9:15am, building on the competitive effort shown in game one and the offensive fight displayed in game two.
