SAN RAFAEL, CA – Menlo Softball traveled north on Saturday for a PacWest doubleheader against Dominican University, taking on the Penguins at Penguin Field. The Oaks generated multiple offensive opportunities throughout the day and received standout performances from several hitters, including another home run from Gabrielle Rodriguez, but ultimately fell in both contests as Dominican capitalized on timely hits and late-inning rallies to secure the sweep.
Oak Statistical Leaders
Gabrielle Rodriguez (G1+2): 4-for-6, 2 RBI, 1 run, 1 2B, 1 HR
Aleatha Buchner (G1+2): 2-for-6, 1 RBI, 1 SB
Sydney Costello (G1): 2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 run
Emma Medina (G1): 1-for-3, 1 2B
Sierra Pasco (G2): 1-for-2, 1 2B
Alina Perez (G2): 1-for-2
Rodriguez recorded her second home run of the season in Game One and reached base safely in both games to lead the Oaks' offense across the twin bill.
Game One: Menlo 4 - 11 Dominican
Menlo struck first in the opening inning when Gabrielle Rodriguez delivered an RBI double to center field, scoring Makayla Mentzer for an early 1-0 advantage. Dominican answered immediately in the bottom half, capitalizing on a pair of walks before a two-run single flipped the lead in favor of the Penguins. Rodriguez continued her strong day at the plate in the fourth inning, launching a solo home run to left to pull the Oaks within one at 3-2.
The Oaks' offense showed resilience in the fifth and sixth innings. Sydney Costello singled and later scored on an RBI base hit from Aleatha Buchner, while another Costello RBI single in the sixth brought Menlo within 4-6. Emma Medina contributed a key extra-base hit with a double during the fifth-inning rally. Despite those efforts, Dominican's pitching limited further damage, stranding runners in multiple innings.
Defensively and in the circle, Menlo battled through adversity as the Penguins took advantage of errors and wild pitches to extend their lead. Dominican erupted for five runs in the sixth inning, several coming via wild pitches and defensive miscues, to create separation. The Oaks were unable to mount a response in the seventh as Dominican secured the series-opening victory.
Game Two: Menlo 0 - 8 Dominican
Game Two began as a pitchers' duel, with Menlo retiring the side in order in the first and holding Dominican scoreless through two innings. Aleatha Buchner recorded the Oaks' first hit in the third and later stole second, but Menlo was unable to bring her home as the Penguins' defense kept the game scoreless.
Dominican broke through in the third inning with a two-run double and added three more runs in the fourth, including back-to-back home runs, to seize control. Menlo managed scattered hits from Alina Perez and Sierra Pasco, with Pasco driving a double to right field in the sixth to provide a late spark. Gabrielle Rodriguez followed with a single in the same inning, but a strong defensive play at the plate prevented the Oaks from scoring.
In the circle, Menlo pitchers worked through traffic throughout the game as Dominican continued to apply pressure with extra-base hits and aggressive baserunning. The Penguins added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings, while their pitching staff held the Oaks without a run to complete the doubleheader sweep.
Up Next…
Menlo will look to regroup and bounce back in its next matchup as the Oaks aim to translate solid individual offensive performances into complete team results. Menlo is at San Francisco State for a non-conference doubleheader starting at 12pm.
