The Menlo School Knights will head out to take on the Aptos Mariners at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.
Half Moon Bay hit Menlo School with a six-run fifth inning on Thursday, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. The Knights took an 11-7 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Cougars. Knights fans who chose to attend the game sure picked the wrong one: it was the first time the team has lost against the Cougars since Thursday.
Chuck Wynn was cooking despite his team's loss, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run and two RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Renner Barnett, who went 1-for-2 with one run and one RBI.
While Aptos didn't have the best season last year (they finished 10-17), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They came out on top against San Lorenzo Valley by a score of 5-1 on Friday. The victory continues a trend for the Mariners in their matchups with the Cougars: they've now won four in a row.
Aptos also got a great performance from Oliver Meyers as he didn't allow a single earned run over six innings pitched.
On the hitting side, Aptos let Alec Mendoza and Cole McGillicuddy run wild. Mendoza went 3-for-4 with two runs and one double, while McGillicuddy went 1-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one double. McGillicuddy has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last three times he's played. Jacob Kissinger also deserves some recognition as he snagged his first stolen base of the season.
Menlo School's loss ended a six-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 7-6. As for Aptos, their record now sits at 7-2.
Saturday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Menlo School hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .314. However, it's not like Aptos struggles in that department as they've averaged .340. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Menlo School couldn't quite get it done against Aptos in their previous meeting back in March of 2025 as they fell 6-1. Can the Knights avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
