HONOLULU, HI – Opening their Hawaii road swing with grit and determination, Menlo Softball battled through a competitive doubleheader against Chaminade, showcasing timely hitting, aggressive baserunning, and late-game resilience. After a fast start slipped away in game one, the Oaks regrouped and delivered a strong all-around performance in game two to earn a split and build momentum early in the trip.
Oaks Statistical Leaders
Lucy Brooks (G1+2): 3-7, 2 RBI, 1 run, 1 BB, 3 SB
Emma Medina (G1+2): 3-7, 1 RBI, 1 run, 1 3B, 1 SB
Gabrielle Rodriguez (G1+2): 3-6, 1 2B, 1 SH
Aleatha Buchner (G1+2): 1-4, 2 SH, 2 SB, 1 run
Sierra Pasco (G1): 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 run, 1 3B
Alina Perez (G1): 1-3
Makayla Mentzer (G1): 1-4, 1 run
Sydney Costello (G2): 3-3, 1 RBI, 1 run, 1 SB
Emma Wilson (G2): 1-3, 1 RBI
Game One: Menlo 2 - 5 Chaminade
Menlo came out sharp in the opener, striking quickly in the top of the first inning. After Makayla Mentzer reached on a single, Sierra Pasco delivered a clutch RBI triple to center to put the Oaks on the board. Emma Medina followed with a triple of her own down the left field line, extending the lead to 2-0. The Oaks' offense continued to generate traffic early, tallying six hits across the first three innings, but were unable to capitalize further, leaving multiple runners stranded in key moments.
Defensively, Menlo was solid early, retiring the side in order in the first and cutting down a runner at the plate in the second. However, the momentum shifted in the third inning when Chaminade strung together five hits and capitalized on an Oaks error to plate three runs and take a 2-3 lead. Despite several defensive rebounds, including clean innings in the fourth and strong infield play throughout, the Silverswords added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings to extend their lead.
In the later innings, Menlo continued to pressure offensively. Gabrielle Rodriguez sparked the seventh inning with a double, and the Oaks put runners in scoring position, but were unable to push across runs. Aggressive baserunning was a highlight, with multiple stolen bases from Brooks and Buchner, but ultimately Menlo fell short, 2-5.
Game Two: Menlo 6 - 4 Chaminade
The Oaks responded with resilience in game two, capitalizing early and finishing strong. Menlo took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, using aggressive baserunning and defensive miscues by Chaminade to manufacture a run. The Oaks' defense held firm through the first two innings, keeping the Silverswords off the board.
In the circle, Alysia Elizarrey delivered a composed and determined performance, settling in after a challenging third inning. Following Chaminade's four-run frame, Elizarrey regrouped and attacked the strike zone, limiting further damage and giving the Oaks a chance to climb back. She navigated key situations in the middle innings, inducing soft contact and working efficiently through the lineup. Her ability to shut down the Silverswords over the final four innings proved pivotal in preserving Menlo's comeback effort.
Chaminade surged ahead in the third inning, scoring four runs on a series of well-placed hits and sacrifice flies to take a 4-1 lead. However, Menlo answered emphatically in the fifth. Sydney Costello ignited the rally with a bunt single, and Emma Wilson drove in a run with a clutch hit to left. Lucy Brooks delivered the decisive blow with a two-RBI single, tying the game at 4-4 and shifting momentum back to the Oaks. Menlo continued to execute in the late innings. In the sixth, Costello came through again with an RBI single to give the Oaks the lead, and in the seventh, Sierra Pasco added an insurance run with a sacrifice fly. Backed by Elizarrey's steady presence in the circle, the Oaks' defense locked in down the stretch, retiring the side in order in the seventh to secure the 6-4 victory.
Up Next…
Menlo's split to open the Hawaii trip showcased both offensive explosiveness and resilience, setting the tone for the remainder of the PacWest series against the Silverswords to take place on Sunday, April 12 starting at 3pm PST.
