ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Softball delivered a thrilling start to its PacWest series on Monday, earning its first doubleheader sweep of the season against Vanguard University. The Oaks battled back for a dramatic walk-off victory in game one before rolling to a dominant run-rule win in game two. Grace Tuiteleleapaga provided the heroics in the opener with a pinch-hit RBI single in the bottom of the seventh, while Alysia Elizarrey led the charge in the finale with a complete-game shutout as Menlo's offense erupted to secure the sweep.
Oak Leaders
Lucy Brooks (G1+2): 3-4, 4 runs, 3 BB, 2B, SB
Sierra Pasco (G1+2): 2-5, 2 RBI, 2 runs, 2 BB, SB
Gabrielle Rodriguez (G1+2): 3-5, 2 RBI, 1 run, 2 BB, 2B
Emma Medina (G1+2): 3-7, 4 RBI, 2B
Makayla Mentzer (G1+2): 1-5, RBI, BB, SAC bunt
Grace Tuiteleleapaga (G1): 1-1, RBI, walk-off single
McKayla Rosen (G1): Pinch runner, scored game-winning run
Alina Perez (G2): 2-3, 2 RBI, run
Tacia Kahalewai (G2): 1-1, run, BB, 2B
Lela Yslava (G1): 7.0 IP, 6 K, 3 BB, 8 H, 4 R, Win
Alysia Elizarrey (G2): 5.0 IP, 1 K, 1 BB, 3 H, 0 R, Win, Complete Game Shutout
Game 1: Vanguard 4 - 5 Menlo
Menlo opened the doubleheader with a dramatic comeback victory, walking off the Vanguard Lions in the bottom of the seventh inning. Vanguard struck first in the opening frame, using four hits to build an early 0-2 lead. The Oaks quickly answered in the bottom half when Gabrielle Rodriguez laced an RBI double to left-center to score Lucy Brooks, trimming the deficit to one.
The Oaks pulled ahead in the fourth inning after capitalizing on defensive miscues by the Lions. Emma Medina started the rally with a single before Tacia Kahalewai added a base hit to put runners on the corners. After an error allowed the tying run to score, Sierra Pasco delivered a clutch two-RBI single up the middle to give Menlo its first lead of the game at 3-2.
Vanguard briefly regained the lead in the fifth, but Menlo starter Lela Yslava settled back in and kept the Lions off the board the rest of the way, stranding multiple runners in the sixth before retiring the side in order in the seventh. In the bottom of the inning, Gabrielle Rodriguez led off with a single and McKayla Rosen entered as a pinch runner. After advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt, Rosen raced home when Grace Tuiteleleapaga delivered a pinch-hit RBI single up the middle, sealing the thrilling 5-4 walk-off win for the Oaks.
Game 2: Vanguard 0 - 8 Menlo (5 innings)
Menlo carried the momentum into game two, exploding early and riding dominant pitching from Alysia Elizarrey to complete the sweep with a 8-0 run-rule victory. The Oaks wasted no time in the first inning as Lucy Brooks reached on a bunt single, stole second, and eventually scored on an RBI knock from Alina Perez. Moments later, Emma Medina ripped a double down the right-field line to drive in two more runs and give Menlo a quick 3-0 advantage.
The Oaks added another run in the second when Tacia Kahalewai doubled to right-center and later scored on an RBI single from Makayla Mentzer. Menlo then put the game out of reach with a four-run fourth inning. Gabrielle Rodriguez sparked the rally with an RBI ground-rule double, Perez followed with another RBI single, and Medina added her third RBI of the game before a wild pitch brought home the seventh run of the contest.
Meanwhile, Elizarrey was in complete control in the circle. The right-hander scattered just three hits across five shutout innings while walking one and keeping the Lions from mounting any sustained offense. With the Oaks' offense rolling and the defense backing Elizarrey cleanly behind her, Menlo secured the 8-0 run-rule victory and completed its first doubleheader sweep of the season over Vanguard.
Up Next…
Menlo Softball looks to complete the full-series sweep against the Lions of Vanguard on Tuesday, March 10th at Wunderlich Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12pm.
