ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Softball closed out its weekend matchup in the PacWest Conference on Saturday, hosting the Azusa Pacific Cougars for a doubleheader at Wunderlich Field. The Oaks showed flashes offensively throughout the afternoon, highlighted by a two-run home run from Sierra Pasco in Game 2 and a strong multi-hit performance across the twin bill from Gabrielle Rodriguez. Menlo also generated key rallies in the middle and late innings of Game 1, cutting into an early deficit and putting pressure on the Cougar defense. Despite the offensive push and several runners reaching base in both contests, Azusa Pacific capitalized on big innings to secure both games as the Oaks wrapped up their conference series at home.
Oaks Statistical Leaders
Sierra Pasco (G1+2): 3-8, 2 runs, 2 RBI, 1 HR
Gabrielle Rodriguez (G1+2): 4-6, 1 run, 1 BB
Tacia Kahalewai (G1+2): 3-5, 2 RBI, 2 runs, 2 BB
Alina Perez (G1): 1-1, 2 BB, 1 run, 1 SH
Lucy Brooks (G2): 1-2, 1 run, 1 BB, 1 2B
Makayla Mentzer (G1+2): RBI single in Game 1, sacrifice bunt in Game 2 to advance an early run
Aleatha Buchner (G1): 1-for-3 with a single during Menlo's fourth-inning rally
Game 1: Azusa Pacific 10 - 6 Menlo
Menlo found itself trailing early after Azusa Pacific broke through in the third inning. A hit-by-pitch and walk helped set the table before an inside-the-park grand slam pushed the Cougars to a 0-4 advantage. The Cougars added five more runs in the fourth inning, capitalizing on timely hitting and a couple of Menlo defensive miscues to stretch the lead to 1-9.
The Oaks responded offensively in the middle innings. In the bottom of the third, Tacia Kahalewai started the rally with a single and later scored on an RBI knock from Makayla Mentzer to put Menlo on the board. The Oaks continued to chip away in the fourth when Aleatha Buchner and Kahalewai delivered consecutive hits before Lucy Brooks lined a single to center. A fielding error allowed two runs to score on the play, trimming the deficit to 4-9.
Menlo continued to battle late. Gabrielle Rodriguez recorded multiple hits and helped spark a seventh-inning push when the Oaks loaded the bases. Emma Medina drove in a run on a groundout and Kahalewai followed with an RBI single to bring the score to 6-10, but the comeback attempt stalled with the tying run still in the on-deck circle. In the circle, the Oaks used multiple pitchers to navigate the Cougar lineup, with defensive pressure and timely hits from Azusa Pacific proving decisive.
Game 2: Azusa Pacific 11 - 3 Menlo
Menlo jumped out to an early lead in the second game thanks to a first-inning power surge. Lucy Brooks worked a leadoff walk and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from Makayla Mentzer before Sierra Pasco delivered the big swing, launching a two-run home run to right field to give the Oaks a 2-0 advantage. Menlo continued to apply pressure later in the game as Sydney Costello singled and eventually came around to score in the fourth inning on an RBI walk from Mentzer, cutting into the Cougar lead after Azusa Pacific responded with a five-run top half of the frame.
The Cougars extended their lead in the fifth and sixth innings, stringing together timely hits and capitalizing on a handful of walks and defensive miscues to add insurance runs. Menlo continued to battle at the plate with base runners coming from hits by Gabrielle Rodriguez and Alina Perez as well as walks from Tacia Kahalewai and Demi Silva, but the Oaks were unable to produce the timely hit needed to spark a late comeback as Azusa Pacific secured the 11-3 victory.
Up Next…
Menlo Softball is back at Wunderlich Field on Monday, March 9th, for their next PacWest series against the Lions of Vanguard University. First pitch is scheduled for 12pm.
