Pitching Proves To Be Dynamic Once Again As Oilers Defend Home Turf In Win Vs. SeaKings
Dane Cunningham provides two innings of flawless relief, landing him his first win on the mound of the season. Trent Grindlinger pops his fourth home run of the year as well
The Huntington Beach Oilers (11-1) stay at the top in the Sunset League with a 4-3 win against Corona Del Mark SeaKings, Wednesday afternoon from Huntington Beach High School. With this victory, the Oilers secured the series win and are currently 10-0 vs. the SeaKings, dating back to 2019. Starting pitcher Jared Grindlinger navigated through three innings of work (matching a season-high), while yielding one unearned run on a fielder's choice. The southpaw also matched a season-high of four strikeouts, the first time he accomplished this feat since March 12 vs. Fountain Valley. As he turned the ball to the bullpen, the duo of Dane Cunningham and Jake Frohn kept SeaKings batters off balance, combining for four innings, three hits and eight strikeouts. The 12 total strikeouts set a team-high on the mound which was previously at 11 (completed on four previous occasions).
The Oilers offense continued to manufacture runs this season as they got the scoring started in the bottom of the first with a sacrifice fly by Jayton Greer, scoring Ethan Porter. The thump of the middle of the order came to power in the bottom of the third as catcher Trent Grindlinger launched his fourth round tripper of the season (377 FT), extending the Huntington Beach lead to 3-1. Cole Clark would add just enough insurance in the bottom of the sixth with a sacrifice fly of his own, scoring pinch-runner Micah Riola.
Diving into the numbers, today's 4-3 win improves the Oilers to 3-1 on Wednesday's, 2-0 in one-run games and 6-0 in games lasting less than two hours and 10 minutes. The 11-1 overall record matches the best start to a season since 2017, where they finished 29-5.
Oilers Scoring Plays:
Bottom 1: Jayton Greer Sac Fly, Ethan Porter Scores (1-0 HB)
Bottom 3: Trent Grindlinger Homers to LF, Ethan Porter Scores (3-1 HB)
Bottom 6: Cole Clark Sac Fly, Micah Riola Scores (4-1 HB)
Stars of the Game:
Trent Grindlinger: 2-Run HR
Jared Grindlinger: 3 IP, 0 ER, 4 K
Dane Cunningham: 2 IP, 0 ER, 3 K (W)
Jake Frohn: 2 IP, 0 ER, 5 K (SV)
The Oilers will wrap up their three-game series vs. Corona Del Mar Friday afternoon, April 4, from Corona Del Mar High School. This will be the last game of the series as the Oilers look for the sweep. 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. CORONA DEL MAR SEAKINGS HIGHLIGHTS HERE (CLICK IMAGE BELOW):
