Womens Softball
Menlo College 8, Arizona Christian 2
Date of competition: Friday, February 24, 2017
Correct this score or report an objectionable comment
Comments: 2
By: Luke Halgerson
PHOENIX – Menlo College softball was on the road for their first Golden State Athletic Conference series of the season as they were taking on the Arizona Christian Firestorm. Coming into the game, the Oaks were on a two-game losing streak after losing a home series to the nineteenth ranked Oregon Tech Owls. The Oaks lost the first game 2-3 in eight innings and lost the second game 2-4. Going against the Firestorm, Menlo had a 2-5-lifetime record against Arizona Christian but had not beaten them since April 1st, 2016, in a 5-2 win. Menlo and Arizona Christian would split today's series as the Oaks lost the first game 3-4 but won the second game 8-2. The loss and win move Menlo to 12-6 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
Game 1
Arizona Christian got the scoring started in the opening inning of game 1 as the Firestorm would score on a field choice to take a 1-0 lead after the first inning. The Oaks would take the lead in the top of fourth with Keeley Hernandez hitting a solo home run to center field. Megan Wright would drive in Sarah Reyes after a single to left center. After four innings the Oaks were in the lead 2-1.
However, the lead was short-lived, as the Firestorm would score three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Menlo would have a couple more chances to regain the lead in the final two innings. The Oaks would score one run in the sixth on a Lauren Harrison RBI single to left field to drive in Bryce Etzler. Pushing the lead to 3-4 in favor of Arizona Christian.
Menlo would not be able to score another run and would go down in the first game by a final score of 3-4. Victoria Cervantes would get the start and the loss for the Oaks as she pitched four innings, allowed four runs (two earned), off eight hits, no walks, and struck out two. Jordan Kennedy came in for relief for Menlo, pitching two innings, allowing no runs, off one hit, and picked up one strikeout. Cassie Grana had a solid game as she went 4-4. Bryce Etzler also had a nice game going 3-4 at the plate with one run and a double. The Oaks stranded six runners in the game.
Game 2:
It would be a pitching duel for much of game two of this series with the team's only combining for one run in the first four innings. Menlo would score that run in the top of the second inning off a Brooke Shigematsu RBI double to right center to knock in Keeley Hernandez. Arizona Christian did not just hand the Oaks this victory as the Firestorm would score two runs in the bottom of the fifth taking a 2-1 lead into the top of the sixth.
The top of the sixth is when the Oaks broke this game wide open with Menlo scoring seven runs in that half inning. Sarah Reyes got things started, hitting a home run to right-center to tie the game at 2-2. Brooke Shigematsu would one up her teammate with a two-run home run of her own to left center. Brooke Menesini would keep the scoring going with a two-RBI single to score Cassie Grana and Lauren Harrison on the play. This would increase the lead to 6-2 but the Oaks weren't done yet as they would score two more runs in the inning. Bryce Etzler scored on an error by the Firestorm second basewomen and Brooke Menesini would score on a Sarah Reyes single to center. At the end of the sixth inning, the Oaks were in the lead 8-2. Menlo would hold that lead for the rest of the game and would win by a final score of 8-2.
Jordan Kennedy pitched the entire game for the Oaks as she allowed two runs on five hits, and walked ne. Sarah Reyes had a delightful game going 2-4 with two RBI. Brooke Shigematsu had an exceptional outing picking up two hits in four at-bats, knocked in three runs, and scored one run as well.
Menlo will continue their Arizona road trip on Saturday as they go up against Embry-Riddle in a doubleheader in Prescott, AZ. The Oaks come into the game with a 7-2 all-time record against Embry-Riddle and have not lost to them since March 24, 2015. First pitch of game one is scheduled to start at 10 a.m.
posted by Menlo on Feb 25, 2017 at 2:09 am
Comments: 2
Report Objectionable Comment or Incorrect Information.
posted by Menlo Athletics on Feb 25, 2017 at 2:11 am
Report Objectionable Comment or Incorrect Information.
posted by Menlo Athletics on Feb 25, 2017 at 2:15 am
 Menlo College's Brooke Shigematsu. Courtesy of Menlo Athletics |
| Add your own comment or photos * Required! |
Stay informed.
Get the day's top headlines from Palo Alto Online sent to your inbox in the Express newsletter.
