In the first game of the doubleheader the Oaks allowed four first-inning runs and trailed the rest of the way. Simpson added a pair in the third inning before the Oaks got on the board in the fourth.

Jamie Pauley and Courtney Emry started the rally with back-to-back singles with none out. Both runners advanced a base on a Nadia Le'i ground out before Alisha Vegas lashed a single to center field that plated Pauley. Emry scored when Joedee Lovell reached on an error to make the score 6-2.

The Red Hawks responded by getting both runs back in the home half of the fourth inning and added three more in the sixth.

Ululani Reyes finished the game 2-for-3 in the leadoff spot while Pauley, Emry, Le'i, and Vegas each smacked a single. Jessica Cobb was the losing pitcher, allowing six runs on seven hits over 2 1/3 innings. Mikayela Viramontes allowed three earned runs and seven hits over three innings of work.

Viramontes found her groove and kept the Red Hawks at bay for the first five innings of the finale. In the sixth inning, Corinne Alexander smacked a two-run home run for the only runs of the game.

Serina Stephens reached on an infield single in the third inning for the Oaks, but was stranded at first base. Emry singled in the fifth, but pinch runner Adriana Garcia was caught in a double play on a Vegas sacrifice bunt. Simpson's Hayley Rodriguez didn't allow another Menlo base runner.

Menlo is now 1-8 overall and 0-2 in the Cal Pac. The Oaks take on William Jessup (9-6, 2-0) in another conference doubleheader on Saturday at 12 p.m. in Rocklin. Simpson is 2-0 in the Cal Pac and 13-8 overall.