ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Softball closed out its 2026 campaign by honoring five seniors: Lucy Brooks, Gabrielle Rodriguez, Emma Wilson, Lara Edeker, and Emma Medina, in a final home doubleheader that reflected the heart and identity of the program. With family, teammates, and supporters looking on, the Oaks took the field one last time this season determined to compete for each other and for the group that helped shape the team's culture. After a difficult opening game, Menlo responded the way it has all year - together - battling back to earn a thrilling Game 2 victory that made Senior Day a fitting finale.
Oaks Statistical Leaders:
Gabrielle Rodriguez (G1): 1-3, 1 2B
Alina Perez (G1+2): 2-6, 2 2B, 1 run
Emma Medina (G1): 1-3
Sierra Pasco (G1+2): 1-4, 2 BB, 1 run
Lucy Brooks (G2): 2-4, 1 SB
Tacia Kahalewai (G2): 1-2, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 run
Grace Tuiteleleapaga (G2): 1-3, 1 2B, 1 run
Lara Edeker (G2): 1-1, 1 RBI
Lela Yslava (G2): 7.0 IP, 4 K, 2 BB, 7 H, 3 ER
Game 1: Dominican 5 - 0 Menlo
Game 1 began as a pitcher's duel, with Menlo matching Dominican inning for inning early on. The Oaks flashed sharp defense and composure, holding Dominican hitless through the first and limiting threats in the second. Alina Perez jumpstarted the offense with a third-inning double, and Gabrielle Rodriguez later added another extra-base hit, but Menlo struggled to convert opportunities into runs.
The turning point came in the third, when Dominican capitalized on a defensive miscue to plate two runs, shifting the momentum. A solo home run in the fourth and late insurance runs stretched the lead, but Menlo continued to battle in every inning. Despite the final score, the Oaks showed flashes of tight defense, timely hits, and the ability to compete with one of the conference's toughest lineups.
Game 2: Dominican 3 - 4 Menlo
If Game 1 tested Menlo's resolve, Game 2 proved it. Trailing 0-3 heading into the bottom of the sixth, the Oaks delivered a Senior Day moment to remember. Sierra Pasco sparked the rally with a single, and Alina Perez followed with a clutch double to ignite the dugout. From there, the energy shifted completely.
Tacia Kahalewai got Menlo on the board, and aggressive baserunning forced Dominican into mistakes as the Oaks kept applying pressure. Grace Tuiteleleapaga came through with a key double, and senior Lara Edeker delivered the defining blow, a go-ahead two-RBI single that sent the crowd into a frenzy and gave Menlo its first lead of the day.
In the circle, Lela Yslava was dominant when it mattered most. After battling through early innings, she locked in down the stretch, shutting the door with confidence and composure. Backed by clean, confident defense in the seventh, the Oaks secured the comeback victory and capped off Senior Day in unforgettable fashion.
2026 Ending in the Win Column
As the final outs were recorded, all by seniors by the way, and the season came to a close, the result was bigger than a split. It was a reflection of the leadership, resilience, and connection built throughout the year. The senior class leaves behind a standard defined by toughness and unity, while the underclassmen carry forward the momentum of a team that refused to quit. With a dramatic comeback to end the season, the Oaks didn't just finish, they made a statement about who they are and where they're headed.
