Strength In Arms; Oilers Make It Two In A Row With Second Shutout Of The Year
The combination of Jared Grindlinger, Jake Frohn and Ethan Porter lock in for a three-hit shutout with help from early offensive support
The Huntington Beach Oilers (21-4) are now back on a winning streak as they blank the Edison Chargers (13-13) by the final of 3-0, Wednesday afternoon from Huntington Beach High School. This win elevates their winning percentage in the Sunset League while also moving their magic number to "1" in order to clinch their 8th straight league title.
The top of the batting order produced plenty of offense early on as Trevor Goldenetz, Jayton Greer and Trent Grindlinger combined to go 5-for-9 with 3 RBI and 2 Runs Scored. After reaching with a leadoff single, Goldenetz broke the Oilers program record (set by himself last season) in steals, swiping his 18th bag of the year. He would eventually touch home on a Double off the bat of [Trent] Grindlinger, giving HB the 1-0 lead. Quickly, Huntington Beach would add on with a pair of runs in the second courtesy of an RBI Triple from Goldenetz and Greer who joined the scoring party with an RBI Single of his own.
Three runs would prove to be plenty as the Oilers pitching staff, led by starter Jared Grindlinger, dominated opposing batter's. After retiring seven in a row to begin the game, [Jared] Grindlinger weaved his way around a two-out based loaded jam by inducing a 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Charger's shortstop Jordan Alvarez. The sophomore southpaw wrapped up his day cleanly by striking out the side in the fourth, putting himself in contention for the eventual win.
Out of the bullpen, Jake Frohn and Ethan Porter kept zeros across the visitors side of the scoreboard. Frohn, spinning two flawless innings while Porter collected his fourth save of the season with a 1-2-3 seventh with the dagger being a strikeout of Xavier Shoda to end the contest.
Today's win inches the Oilers closer to another Sunset League title, which can be clinched as early as Friday. They have now won 13 consecutive games versus the Chargers and outscoring them 91-20 (+71 run differential).
Oilers Scoring Plays:
Bottom 1: Trent Grindlinger Doubles to CF, Trevor Goldenetz Scores (1-0 HB)
Bottom 2: Trevor Goldenetz Triples to RF, Jason Dunham Scores (2-0 HB)
Bottom 2: Jayton Greer Singles to CF, Trevor Goldenetz Scores (3-0 HB)
Stars of the Game:
Trevor Goldenetz: 2-3, RBI, 2 R, SB
Trent Grindlinger: 2-3, RBI
Jayton Greer: 1-3, RBI
Jared Grindlinger: 4 IP, 0 ER, 3 K
Jake Frohn + Ethan Porter: 3 IP, 0 ER, 1 K
The Oilers will conclude this series against the Edison Chargers Friday afternoon, May 2, from Edison High School. You can listen to the game on hbhsathletics.mixlr.com with the "Voice of the Oilers" Dominick Lorenz, beginning with the pregame show at 3:00 PM, followed by first pitch at 3:15 PM.
