Oilers “Drop The Hammer” vs. Harvard-Westlake on Opening Day
Timely hitting and a lockdown bullpen secure Oilers 8-3 win to begin the 2025 season
The Huntington Beach Oilers (1-0) conquered the Harvard-Westlake Wolverines (3-2) Tuesday night from Blair Field in Long Beach. The Oilers first game of the season wrapped up with a balanced approach across all phases of the game tallying eight runs on 13 hits. Starting pitcher Otto Espinoza battled for 2.2 IP, yielding two earned-runs on five hits and two strikeouts. Manager Benji Medure utilized three relievers (Tyler Bellerose, Jared Grindlinger and Ethan Porter) while constructing the batting order with seven lefties and only two righties. The offense collected four extra-base hits, three hit-by-pitches and capitalized on two Wolverines errors that equated three runs.
This was the first head-to-head matchup between these two programs since 2020 when the Oilers defeated the Wolverines on February 20 by the final of 14-1. Tonight's game was the lone non-league contest of the season, excluding the Boras Classic (March 25-28) and NHSI Tournament (April 9-12).
With tonight's win, the Oilers improve to 1-0 while wearing their White (Home) uniforms. Last season, they only wore those uniforms on six occasions which resulted in a 3-3 record.
OILERS SCORING PLAYS:
Bottom 1: Trevor Goldenetz Singles to CF, Ethan Porter Scores on Throwing Error (1-0 HB)
Bottom 1: CJ Weinstein Singles to RF, Trevor Goldenetz Scores (2-0, HB)
Bottom 3: Cole Clark reaches on Fielding Error, Trevor Goldenetz & CJ Weinstein Scores (4-2, HB)
Bottom 5: Jared Grindlinger Doubles to RF, Trenton Ramirez Scores (5-3, HB)
Bottom 6: CJ Weinstein Doubles to RF, Matt Haidl & Ethan Porter Scores (7-3, HB)
Bottom 6: Trent Grindlinger Singles to LF, CJ Weinstein Scores (8-3, HB)
STARS OF THE GAME:
OF Trevor Goldenetz: 3-4, 2 R, 2 SB
INF CJ Weinstein: 2-3, 3 RBI, 2 R
OF/P Jared Grindlinger: 2-3, RBI, 2 Doubles / 2 IP, 0 ER, 3 K
3B/P Ethan Porter: 2-4, 2 R / 1 IP, 0 ER, 3 K
The Oilers will return to action next Thursday, March 13 as they kick off Sunset League play at home against the Fountain Valley Barons. You can listen to the game on hbhsathletics.mixlr.com with the "Voice of the Oilers" Dominick Lorenz, beginning at 3:00 PM with the pregame show followed by first pitch at 3:15 PM!
LISTEN TO HUNTINGTON BEACH VS. HARVARD-WESTLAKE HIGHLIGHTS HERE (CLICK IMAGE BELOW):
