HILO, HI – Menlo Softball closed out the first portion of its Hawaii road trip on Thursday with a PacWest matchup against the Vulcans of University of Hawaii at Hilo. The Oaks struggled to slow Hilo's offense while also finding it difficult to string together timely hits, dropping game one in seven innings and game two in five. With one final day remaining in the series, Menlo turns its focus forward, ready to regroup and compete for a strong finish in Friday's doubleheader.
Oak Statistical Leaders
Lucy Brooks (G1+2): 2-6, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Alina Perez (G1+2): 2-5, 1 2B, 1 BB
Emma Medina (G1+2): 0-2, 1 RBI, 1 SF, 2 BB
Grace Tuiteleleapaga (G1+2): 2-4, 1 BB
Tacia Kahalewai (G1): 1-3
Makayla Mentzer (G1): 0-2, 1 BB
Gabrielle Rodriguez (G2): 1-2
Emma Wilson (G2): 1-2, 1 run
Game One: Menlo 1 - 5 Hilo
Menlo opened the first game looking to establish early momentum, but the offense was unable to capitalize despite a first-inning walk from Sierra Pasco. Hilo quickly took control in the bottom half, using a two-RBI double to jump out to a 0-2 lead. The Vulcans added another run in the second inning on an RBI single and extended their advantage in the third after capitalizing on a defensive miscue that led to an unearned run.
The Oaks found a breakthrough in the fifth inning when Lucy Brooks singled and later came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Emma Medina, cutting the deficit to 1-4. However, Hilo responded immediately with a solo home run in the bottom half to push the lead back to four runs. Menlo's offense continued to battle, putting runners on in multiple innings, but was unable to deliver the key hit needed to shift momentum.
In the circle, the Oaks staff worked through early pressure but struggled to contain timely hitting from the Vulcans lineup. Defensively, Menlo showed flashes of clean play but one costly error contributed to Hawaii Hilo's scoring. Despite limiting additional damage late, the Oaks could not overcome the early deficit, ultimately falling 1-5 in seven innings.
Game Two: Menlo 1 - 9 (5 innings)
Game two proved challenging from the outset, as Hilo erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Vulcans capitalized on a combination of walks, hit batters, aggressive baserunning, and timely extra-base hits to seize early control. Menlo had an opportunity in the top half of the inning after loading the bases, but a play at the plate and a groundout ended the threat without a run.
The Oaks continued to battle offensively, collecting hits in the second, third, and fifth innings. Gabrielle Rodriguez and Alina Perez each recorded singles, while Emma Wilson and Grace Tuiteleleapaga helped spark a fifth-inning rally. Menlo broke through in that frame when Brooks delivered an RBI single to score Wilson, but a double play halted further scoring.
In the circle, Menlo utilized multiple pitchers in an effort to slow Hilo's momentum, but the Vulcans added two more runs in the fourth inning to extend the lead. Defensively, the Oaks managed several clean innings after the opening frame, showing resilience despite the early deficit. Ultimately, the shortened five-inning contest ended in a 1-9 result, setting the stage for Friday's doubleheader where Menlo will look to regroup and even the series.
Up Next…
Menlo Softball will have one final opportunity to even the PacWest series on Friday, April 17, with a doubleheader beginning at 3pm PST.
