Great Pitching And Timely Hitting Pave The Way For Another Oilers Series Win
Eddie Lucero leads the charge with a clutch two-run single and Jared Grindlinger tosses a season-high five scoreless innings
The Huntington Beach Oilers (15-4-1) keep their foot on the gas pedal as they defeat the Fountain Valley Barons (11-9) in a close 3-1 game, Wednesday afternoon from HBHS Stadium. Not only is this a series securing victory for Huntington Beach, but they further their head-to-head record against the Barons to 34-20 (.630) in the last 54 matchups.
Defense and pitching stood the test of time through four innings for starting pitcher Jared Grindlinger. The senior kept zeros on the board while inducing three magnificent sliding defensive snags from Sol Moriyama, Parker Leoff and Jason Dunham, who continue to be dynamic in the infield and build trust with the pitching staff. Along with the help from the interior defense, Grindlinger strung together four strikeouts over a season-high five innings on the eve of his 17th birthday. Over the past six games for the Oilers, starting pitching has been at the forefront of the success, totaling just five earned runs over 28.2 innings pitched.
The scoring did not begin until two outs in the bottom of the fourth as third baseman Leoff drilled an RBI double off the wall in left-center field, bringing home Eddie Lucero who reached base with an infield hit. By giving Huntington Beach a 1-0 lead, Leoff secured his first run batted in as an Oiler, after transferring from Redondo Union in the offseason. His two-hit performance this afternoon is his fourth overall multi-hit game of the year. Quickly, the Oilers added to their advantage as Lucero, who got the start in right field, rocketed a liner past Barons reliever D'Angelo Diaz, scoring two in scoring position for a 3-0 lead. This eventual "game winning hit" marks Lucero's third multi-hit and second multi-RBI game of 2026.
Fountain Valley would keep the game interesting late as they scored their only run on a fielder's choice, set up by a leadoff double and sacrifice bunt. Out of the bullpen, Steel Kurtz would once again shut the door on a rally as the senior right-hander picked up two strikeouts to begin the seventh and end the contest by prompting pinch-hitter Evan Mandriguez to pop out in foul territory to Dane Cunningham.
With today's win on First Responders Day, the Oilers extend their winning ways within the Sunset League to 11-0, bumping their lead over second place Newport Harbor to 1.5 games. Huntington Beach also furthers their mark to 3-0 in two-run games as well as 5-1 when wearing their white pinstripe uniforms.
Oilers Scoring Plays:
Bot 4: Parker Leoff Doubles to LCF, Eddie Lucero Scores (1-0 HB)
Bot 5: Eddie Lucero Singles to CF, Dane Cunningham & Owen Bone Scores (3-0 HB)
Stars of the Game:
Parker Leoff: 2-3, RBI
Eddie Lucero: 2-2, 2 RBI, R
Brayden Wood: 2-3
Jared Grindlinger: 5 IP, 0 ER, 3 K (W)
Steel Kurtz: 1 IP, 0 ER, 2 K (SV)
The Oilers will wrap up this year's series versus the Fountain Valley Barons on Friday (4/17) from Fountain Valley High School. You'll be able to listen to all the action on hbhsathletics.mixlr.com with the "Voice of the Oilers" Dominick Lorenz, with the pregame show at 3:00 PM, followed by first pitch at 3:15 PM (projected times).
LISTEN TO HUNTINGTON BEACH VS. FOUNTAIN VALLEY BARONS HIGHLIGHTS HERE (CLICK IMAGE BELOW):
