ATHERTON, CA – Despite having leads in both contests, Menlo NCBA Baseball could not overcome Simpson on Monday out at Cartan Field as the Oaks were one out away from winning the series opener, an eventual 5-3 loss to the Red Hawks, then were up to start the day's finale, but could not bounce back from the visitors' fifth-inning rally.

Game One: Simpson 5, Menlo 3
The series began with a pitching duel featuring junior Israel Garcia, who ended up surrendering just one run through 6.0 innings of work in the start. He allowed just three hits and struck out three, but his only run given up put Simpson on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning.

It was not until the fifth when a scoring change would occur as junior Aidan Mitchell delivered two on a single to help knock the Red Hawks' starter from the game. The one-run advantage did not last, however, as SU scored four unearned runs following an error in the seventh and, though Menlo plated one back in the final frame, the comeback could not be completed.

Game Two: Simpson 8, Menlo 4
Mitchell was again responsible for bringing a run home during the second contest, doing so on a double play groundout in his first at-bat.

A strong start to the game was turned in by freshman Jeremy Marquez who, as part of his three scoreless frames out of the gate, threw an immaculate inning in the second, striking out the side on nine pitches.

The Red Hawks, however, did initiate a rally in the fourth, scoring four runs on five hits to assume a 4-1 lead. Walks and wild pitches were key during the Oaks' own response in their half of the frame, but another four unearned runs shifted momentum once more in the fifth toward the 8-4 final.

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Back at Cartan Field tomorrow, Menlo will close its series hosting Simpson with another 11 a.m. doubleheader.