Portland, OR:

Behind the dominant pitching of Joey Webb, the defensive wizardry of C.J. Dailey, and clutch timely hitting from Michael Brandi and Collin Forgey, Menlo College officially put their first ever playoff win in the books.  The Oaks took out NAIA powerhouse British Columbia in a 2-1 pitcher's duel in both squads' opening game of the 2012 NAIA West Playoff Tournament. 

Webb played the role of hero with a performance for the ages on the bump.  The junior from Reno, Nevada went the distance, allowing just one run on six hits, striking out three and walking just one. 

"It was huge," said Webb on the Oaks thrilling victory.  "We knew that Menlo went two and out last year so this was just big for us."

Webb set the tone from the get go, retiring 17 of the first 18 UBC hitters.  The 6'6" southpaw showed incredible composure in throwing 139 pressure packed pitches when the lights were brightest. 

"It's almost expected that Joey is going to throw a complete game when he gets the start," commented first year Menlo Head Coach Stefan McGovern.  "His performance does wonders for a coach and a team especially in a tournament setting." 

In the bottom of the 9^th inning with the Oaks leading 2-1, Menlo second baseman C.J. Dailey made two unbelievable plays to put a cap on things.  Thunderbirds left fielder Nick Senior led off the inning with a scorcher headed into right center, but Dailey climbed the ladder to snatch the Senior heat seeker for the first out of the frame. 

Then after a grounder to third for the second out of the inning, Dailey took a knock away from Gabe Mark to end the game.  The senior from Bellevue, Washington bare handed a ball up the middle and threw off balance to get Mark, putting a ribbon on the Oaks first ever playoff win.

"Thank god he's there," claimed Webb on the Dailey's sparkling defensive plays.    

Webb was staked to an early 1-0 lead thanks to a clutch one out 1^st inning RBI single off the bat of Michael Brandi.  The junior third baseman from Littleton, Colorado smoked an 0-2 pitch right up the middle, plating Mickey Phelps who led off the frame with a walk. 

Menlo took that 1-0 advantage into the bottom of the 6^th inning when the Thunderbirds got their best look at knotting up the score.  British Columbia right fielder Sebastian Wong opened the frame with a booming triple over the head of center fielder Mickey Phelps, putting the potential tie run just 90 feet away. 

Up stood Brody Hawkins with a chance deadlock the score, but a hard line drive right to a drawn in Will Pierce at first accounted for the first out of the inning.  Webb took it from there in retiring the final two hitters of the inning while stranding Wong at third. 

Menlo would tack on an insure run the following inning with a Collin Forgey two-out run scoring single to score Phelps for the second time in the game. 

Webb would allow his only run of the affair in the bottom of the 8^th inning, thanks to a two-out infield RBI single from Andrew Firth to score Sebastian Wong.  Webb avoided further trouble by inducing Austin Fruson on a grounder to second to end the Thunderbirds' threat. 

"It's great to get the first one out of the way, but I would be lying if I was content with this," remarked the aforementioned Coach McGovern on Menlo's first ever playoff win.  "My hope is that it's just one of many for this team and this school."   

The Oaks will take on College of Idaho Thursday, May 3^rd after the Coyotes defeated Concordia University 7-5 in the day one finale.  First pitch is slated for 12:00pm and the winner will secure a spot in the championship game on Friday.