FRESNO, CA – Menlo Baseball closed out its four-game PacWest series on the road against Fresno Pacific after opening the set at Cartan Field, battling through a long day that featured a lightning delay, momentum swings, and a historic individual performance. Despite a standout showing at the plate, highlighted by Mason Hanshaw's three-home run game, the Oaks were unable to secure a win, dropping both ends of the doubleheader in Fresno.
Menlo Statistical Leaders
Mason Hanshaw (G1+2): 5-7, 6 RBI, 3 runs, 1 2B, 1 BB, 3 HR
Shane Aldridge (G1+2): 4-8, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 SB
Anthony Deluca (G1+2): 2-7, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SF
Noah Pang (G1): 2-3, 1 RBI, 1 SF
Jack Nammack (G1): 1-3, 2 BB, 2 runs
Matt Morrison (G1): 1-4, 1 BB, 1 run
Tyson Brown (G1): 0-3, 2 BB
Oliver Hogan (G2): 1-3, 1 run
Noah Morton (G2): 1-2, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Daniel Aguilera (G2): 1-2, 1 RBI, 1 2B
Brayden Wilson (G2): 1-3, 1 run
*Battled through a 45-minute lightning delay
Game 1: Menlo 7 - 10 FPU
Game one opened with an unusual rhythm, as a near 45-minute lightning delay set the stage for a long and dramatic contest. Both teams came out sharp defensively, trading scoreless frames early before Menlo broke through in the third inning. Mason Hanshaw ignited the Oaks offense with a solo home run down the left field line, giving Menlo an early 1-0 advantage. The pitching staff held firm through the first three innings, keeping Fresno Pacific off balance and limiting solid contact.
The momentum shifted in the fourth and fifth innings, where Fresno Pacific capitalized on timely hitting and defensive miscues. A two-RBI double in the fourth gave the Sunbirds their first lead, and a three-run fifth inning extended the deficit. Menlo's pitching staff battled through traffic on the bases but struggled to contain Fresno Pacific's situational hitting, particularly with runners in scoring position.
Despite trailing 4-10 entering the ninth, Menlo refused to fold. Hanshaw delivered again in a massive way, launching his third home run of the game, a three-run shot, to cap off a six-RBI performance. The Oaks showed resilience with a late push, but ultimately fell short. Offensively, Menlo demonstrated power and depth, while defensively and on the mound, a few key innings proved costly in the 7-10 loss.
Game 2: Menlo 3 - 14 FPU
Menlo came out aggressive in game two, striking early with a well-executed first inning. Behind doubles from Anthony Deluca and Daniel Aguilera, the Oaks manufactured a run and applied immediate pressure. They added another in the third inning after Shane Aldridge tripled and later scored on a sacrifice fly, building a 2-0 lead. Through the first two innings, Menlo's pitching was sharp, holding Fresno Pacific hitless and maintaining control.
The game turned dramatically in the bottom of the third inning, when Fresno Pacific erupted for six runs on six hits. The inning featured a combination of power hitting, situational execution, and momentum swings, including a two-run home run and multiple RBI base hits. The rally not only erased Menlo's lead but shifted the tone of the game entirely. Additional runs in the fourth and fifth innings widened the gap, as the Sunbirds continued to string together hits and capitalize on opportunities.
Menlo continued to compete offensively, collecting 10 hits on the game, including multi-hit efforts and consistent traffic on the bases. However, they struggled to convert opportunities into runs, leaving multiple runners stranded in key moments. On the mound, the Oaks utilized several pitchers in an attempt to stop the momentum, but Fresno Pacific's offense remained relentless. Despite flashes of offensive production and early promise, Menlo dropped the second game 3-14, concluding a challenging doubleheader on the road.
Up Next…
Menlo will look to regroup and clean up execution on both sides of the ball as they continue play with a non-conference matchup against Simpson University with a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 21st starting at 11am.
