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ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Softball hosted Biola University on Tuesday morning for day two of their PacWest series, delivering an electric doubleheader that ended with a stalemate. Menlo claimed an exciting Game One victory before Game Two was halted in extra innings due to timing constraints at the facility. The PacWest series will resume later this season with the two teams tied 3-3 in the top of the eighth inning to decide the PacWest series! 

 

Menlo Oaks Statistical Leaders

Alina Perez (G1+2): 3-7, 4 RBI, 2 runs, 1 BB, 1 3B

Lucy Brooks (G1+2): 4-7, 4 runs, 1 RBI, 1 2B

Makayla Mentzer (G1+2): 2-5, 2 sac bunts

Emma Medina (G1+2): 4-5, 2 RBI, 1 2B

Gabrielle Rodriguez (G1): 3-4, 1 run

Sierra Pasco (G1): 1-3, 2 runs, 1 BB

Tacia Kahalewai (G1): 1-4, 2 RBI, 1 run

Aleatha Buchner (G1): 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 2B

Lela Yslava (G1): 7.0 IP, 5 K, 4 BB, 5 ER, Win

Rosaline Torralva (G2): 7.0 IP, 2 K, 3 ER, 5 H, 7 BB

 

Game One: Biola 5 - 8 Menlo

Menlo wasted no time igniting the offense in Game One. After starter Lela Yslava worked around a first-inning single to keep Biola off the board, the Oaks exploded for four runs in the bottom half. RBI singles from Tacia Kahalewai, Aleatha Buchner, and Emma Medina highlighted a five-hit inning, giving Menlo an early cushion.

Biola responded with single runs in the second and a two-run third to tie the game, then added two more in the sixth to reclaim the lead at 4-5. Yslava battled through traffic throughout the contest, striking out five across seven complete innings to earn the win.

Trailing in the sixth, the Oaks delivered the decisive blow. After Lucy Brooks reached and Sierra Pasco worked a walk, Alina Perez roped a clutch two-RBI triple to right center to clean up the bases and flip the momentum. Perez later scored on a wild pitch, capping a three-run frame that put Menlo ahead 8-5. The defense locked in during the seventh, highlighted by clean infield work to strand a runner and seal the victory. Menlo tallied eight runs on 11 hits, showcasing timely hitting and aggressive baserunning to take the opener in thrilling fashion.

 

Game Two: Biola 3 - 3 Menlo (Halted, Time Constraint)

Game Two proved to be a tightly contested affair from the outset against the Biola Eagles. Biola struck first with a sacrifice fly in the opening inning, but Menlo answered immediately as Alina Perez delivered an RBI single to plate Lucy Brooks from second base and even the score. The Oaks continued to apply pressure in the third, stringing together four hits, including another RBI knock from Perez, to take a 2-1 advantage.

Menlo added to its lead in the fourth when Brooks came through again with an RBI single to score Emma Medina. In the circle, Rosaline Torralva worked through consistent traffic, scattering five hits across seven innings while striking out two. Despite issuing seven walks, Torralva limited the damage and relied on timely defensive plays to keep the Oaks within reach as the Eagles tied the game in the fifth and moved ahead 3-2 in the seventh.

With their backs against the wall, the Oaks battled to extend the contest, eventually pushing the game into extra innings. The matchup was halted in the top of the eighth inning with the score tied 3-3 due to facility time constraints. Menlo and Biola will resume the game later this season to officially decide the PacWest series. Per conference policy, all Game Two statistics will become official upon completion of the suspended contest; until play resumes and the game is finalized, those statistics will not count toward PacWest standings.

 

Up Next…

Menlo and Biola will reconvene later this season to resume play and officially decide the PacWest series, setting the stage for a dramatic finish between the conference rivals. Until then, the Oaks must carry on and focus on their next contest coming up on Friday, March 6th with a PacWest doubleheader against Azusa Pacific at Wunderlich Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12pm!