ATHERTON, CA – In a game that had everything - momentum swings, clutch performances, and late-inning drama - Menlo College Baseball delivered one of its most electrifying moments of the 2026 season. The Oaks walked off the Cougars of Azusa Pacific University in an 11-inning thriller, powered by a pinch-hit, walk-off home run from Noah Morton. The dramatic 6-5 victory in game one highlighted a hard-fought split, as APU answered back to take game two. With the regular season winding down, Menlo looks forward to hosting a special Senior Day on Saturday, where eight graduating Oaks will be honored following the final home doubleheader of the season.
Oaks Statistical Leaders
Oliver Hogan (G1+2): 4-8, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR, 1 3B, 1 2B
Daniel Aguilera (G1+2): 2-6, 2 RBI, 1 BB
Matt Morrison (G1): 2-4, 1 RBI
Jack Nammack (G1): 2-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 SF, 1 SB
Noah Pang (G1): 1-4, 1 RBI
Noah Morton (G1): 1-1, 1 RBI, 1 R, Walk-off HR
Jacob Baca (G1): 3.0 IP, 1 K, 0 BB, 0 R, 2 H, Win
Game One: APU 5 - 6 Menlo (11 innings)
From the opening innings, Menlo came out aggressive and locked in. After a scoreless first, the Oaks broke through in the second as Jack Nammack ripped a double down the line and came around to score on Noah Pang's RBI single. The energy only built from there. In the third, Oliver Hogan launched a towering home run to left, igniting the offense before Daniel Aguilera delivered a clutch two-RBI single to cap a three-run inning and give Menlo a commanding 4-0 lead.
Menlo continued to apply pressure in the fifth, with Hogan tripling and scoring on Matt Morrison's RBI knock to stretch the lead to 5-0. With Matthew Verdugo starting on the mound, the Oaks were in full control early, pounding the zone, limiting damage, and playing clean defense behind their pitchers. But Azusa Pacific refused to go quietly. A two-run homer in the sixth cracked the door open, and in the seventh, the Cougars stormed back with a flurry of hits to tie the game at 5-5, shifting the momentum and setting the stage for a tense finish.
That's when Menlo's resilience took center stage. The bullpen, led by Jacob Baca, slammed the door over the final innings, stranding runners and keeping the game deadlocked. As the game pushed into extras, every pitch carried weight.
Then came the moment.
In the bottom of the 11th, with two outs and the crowd buzzing, Noah Morton stepped in as a pinch hitter, and delivered instantly. On just his first at-bat of the day, Morton crushed a pitch to left-center, sending it soaring over the fence for a walk-off home run. Teammates stormed the field as the Oaks celebrated a thrilling 6-5 victory in unforgettable fashion.
Game Two: APU 5 - 0 Menlo
Game two told a different story, as Azusa Pacific came out swinging and seized control early. A two-run blast in the second inning put Menlo on its heels, and the Cougars continued to tack on runs in the third and fifth, building a 0-5 lead.
Despite the deficit, the Oaks continued to battle defensively, making key plays in the field to prevent the game from slipping further away. The pitching staff regrouped in the later innings, holding APU scoreless down the stretch and giving the offense a chance to respond.
At the plate, Menlo found flashes of momentum, most notably from Oliver Hogan, who continued his standout day with multiple hits, including a sharp double. However, the Oaks struggled to string together timely hits, leaving runners stranded and unable to break through against APU's pitching. While the shutout loss wasn't the result Menlo wanted, the split sets up a meaningful finale with plenty still to play for.
Senior Day on Saturday
Menlo returns to the field tomorrow for Senior Day, where the program will honor eight graduating seniors who have helped shape the foundation of Oaks baseball. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 11am. Senior Day ceremonies will take place at the end of the day after both games have concluded. The Oaks will look to end on a high note at Cartan!
