ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Baseball welcomed one of the top teams in the nation to Cartan Field on Saturday, battling the Sea Lions of Point Loma Nazarene University in a PacWest Conference doubleheader. Facing a nationally ranked opponent, the Oaks showed resilience throughout the day, highlighted by a tightly contested second game that came down to the final at-bat. Despite dropping both ends of the doubleheader, Menlo competed hard against one of the conference's premier programs and nearly completed a dramatic seventh-inning comeback in game two, showcasing the team's fight and offensive firepower in front of the home crowd.
Oaks Statistical Leaders
Shane Aldridge (G1+2): 3-7, 2 RBI, 2 runs, 1 BB, 1 SB, 1 HR
Daniel Aguilera (G1): 1-2, 1 BB
Noah Pang (G2): 2-3
DJ Cardinal (G2): 2-3, 2 runs
Javier DaRosa Fonseca Jr. (G2): 2-3, 1 RBI, 1 run
Samuel Brewer (G2): 1-1, 1 RBI
Matt Morrison (G2): 1 hit, 1 BB
Marcus McClenon (G2): 1 RBI (sacrifice fly)
Oliver Hogan (G2): 1 RBI (HBP)
Game 1: Point Loma 15 - 0 Menlo (7 Innings)
Menlo opened Saturday's PacWest doubleheader at Cartan Field against one of the top programs in the nation, the Point Loma Sea Lions. The visitors struck early, using a leadoff triple in the first inning to set up the game's first run before adding another in the second. Despite solid defensive moments from the Oaks, Point Loma capitalized on key opportunities to stretch the lead to 0-4 through three innings.
Menlo found a few sparks offensively, highlighted by a third-inning single from Shane Aldridge who later swiped second base to put himself in scoring position. Daniel Aguilera also added a base hit in the fourth inning as the Oaks searched for momentum against a strong Sea Lions pitching performance. While Menlo continued to battle at the plate, Point Loma's staff kept the Oaks from stringing together hits to produce a rally.
The Sea Lions eventually pulled away in the middle innings, putting together a six-run fifth inning before adding three more in the sixth. Menlo's bullpen stepped in to finish the game defensively, but Point Loma continued to find timely hits to secure the victory in the opener.
Game 2: Point Loma 9 - 7 Menlo
Game two showcased a completely different story, as Menlo went toe-to-toe with one of the nation's premier teams in an intense, back-and-forth battle. The Oaks struck first in the bottom of the opening frame when Shane Aldridge reached base and eventually came around to score after the bases were loaded, giving Menlo an early 1-0 lead.
Point Loma answered with a five-run third inning, but the Oaks refused to back down. In the fourth, DJ Cardinal and Javier DaRosa Fonseca Jr. opened the inning with back-to-back singles before Marcus McClenon lifted a sacrifice fly to trim the deficit. Moments later, Aldridge delivered the biggest swing of the day for Menlo, launching a two-run home run to right field that electrified Cartan Field and inching the Oaks closer at 3-5.
The Sea Lions pushed another run in the fifth, but Menlo again responded immediately when DaRosa Fonseca Jr. drove in Oliver Hogan with an RBI single to even the game at five. The Oaks' pitching and defense kept the nationally-ranked visitors in check through the sixth, setting up a dramatic final inning.
Point Loma managed to push three runs across in the top of the seventh, but Menlo mounted a thrilling comeback attempt in the bottom half. DJ Cardinal started the rally with a single before pinch hitter Samuel Brewer delivered an RBI base hit. Later in the inning, Noah Morton brought home another run to cut the deficit to one and bring the tying run aboard. With the crowd energized and the Oaks threatening to take the lead, Menlo had the winning run within reach. However, the Sea Lions were able to escape the jam and record the final outs, narrowly holding off the Oaks in a 7-9 finish.
Up Next….
Despite the result, Menlo showcased outstanding resilience and played one of its strongest games of the season against one of the best teams in the country. They will have another chance to take on the Sea Lions in a doubleheader on Monday, March 9th starting at 11am.
