SWEEP! Third Straight Win Caps Off Dynamic Week
Tanner Brown leads the charge on the mound as the Oilers now sit in sole possession of 1st place in the Sunset League
The Huntington Beach Oilers (4-2-1) sweep this year's series against the Edison Chargers (4-6) courtesy of a 4-1 win, Friday afternoon from HBHS Stadium. Today's victory marks their first series sweep this season, but also extends the winning streak to 17 versus Edison (dating back to 2021).
Out of the gates, starting pitcher Tanner Brown evaded an early Chargers threat (back-to-back doubles within the first two batters) with a pair of strikeouts to hold the opposition scoreless through one. In the bottom half of the first, Brown would get help from his offense as Owen Bone slapped an RBI double down the right field line, scoring Jared Grindlinger following his own one-out double. The Oilers would tack on an extra run in the first on a double steal that scored Bone from third. By scoring in the first inning, the Oilers successfully put two or more runs on the board in the first inning of all three games this week.
From there, Brown set himself in cruise control as he retired nine of his next 11 batters, yielding only one hit and accumulating six strikeouts. His only blemish occurred on a two-out solo home run to Edison shortstop Jordan Alvarez, who totaled four hits and three runs batted in throughout the week. The junior left-hander would cap off his day on a strong note, by sending the Chargers away quietly in the sixth 1-2-3 along with defensive gems from Ely Mason in center and Sol Moriyama at second base.
The Oilers offense, which has been on a tear during this entire series, provided insurance late in the sixth with an RBI triple from Brown and outfielder Eddie Lucero chipped in on a whacky infield base hit that led to two stolen bases and an advancement home on a fielding error by Edison. With nine hits today, Huntington Beach finished the series scoring 23 runs on 36 hits and adding 11 extra-base hits.
Out of the bullpen, junior Duncan McLeod, making his season debut, tossed a clean seventh with a strikeout to secure the series sweep and keep the Oilers perfect at home this season at a 3-0 mark. This also becomes the third straight season the Oilers begin Sunset League play with three straight victories.
Oilers Scoring Plays:
Bot 1: Owen Bone Doubles to RF, Jared Grindlinger Scores (1-0 HB)
Bot 1: Owen Bone Steals Home (2-0 HB)
Bot 6: Tanner Brown Triples to RF, Mason Tapia Scores (3-1 HB)
Bot 6: Eddie Lucero Infield Single, Scores on Error (4-1 HB)
Stars of the Game:
Tanner Brown: 6 IP, 1 ER, 7 K (W) + RBI Triple
Jared Grindlinger: 2-3, R
Eddie Lucero: 2-2, R, 2 SB
Owen Bone: 1-3, RBI
Duncan McLeod: 1 IP, 0 ER, 1 K
The Oilers will begin another Sunset League series next week versus the Marina Vikings, beginning at home on Tuesday, March 17. You'll be able to listen to all the action 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 (projected times).
LISTEN TO HUNTINGTON BEACH VS. EDISON CHARGERS HIGHLIGHTS HERE (CLICK IMAGE BELOW):
