Starting pitcher Nils Gilbertson threw three scoreless innings and enjoyed a stellar day at the plate (three hits, 3 RBI) as visiting Menlo-Atherton defeated Woodside, 12-2, to complete a two-game sweep of the Wildcats. The victory, the fourth straight for the Bears, improved M-A’s PAL Bay Division record to 4-0 and overall mark to 10-6.

Gilbertson yielded just three hits and no walks over the first three innings to boost his record to 5-1 overall (2-0 in league). The 6-2 senior was equally effective on offense, reaching base four times on two doubles, a single, and a walk.

Menlo-Atherton’s 12-hit attack also featured two hits and 2 RBI from junior Kyle Zirbes and two hits and an RBI from junior catcher Cam Winn. Chace Warren, Louis McCabe, and Patrick Moriarty also contributed RBIs for an M-A offense that scored 24 runs in two league games against Woodside.

The Bears’ defense also shined as M-A turned four double plays to snuff potential Woodside rallies.

Menlo-Atherton scored five runs in the first inning off Woodside starting pitcher Michael York, following two hits, two walks, a throwing error, and a wild pitch. The Bears added two more runs in the second on three hits, including an RBI double by Zirbes and an RBI single by Warren.

Senior Austin Hume pitched three innings of effective relief, allowing just one unearned run, four hits, and a walk. Hume did his best Houdini imitation in the sixth inning. After Woodside loaded the bases with no outs, he retired Greg Deasy on an infield pop-up and then induced Michael Yedniak to hit into a 1-2-3 double play.

Zirbes closed out the game for M-A, allowing an unearned run and one hit.

M-A returns to action on Wednesday in a key PAL Bay Division league game at Burlingame.