End Of The Road; Oilers Eliminated From CIF Playoffs

The Huntington Beach Oilers (22-8-1) suffer a blowout loss in the third round of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Playoffs versus the La Mirada Matadores (24-7) by the final of 11-1, Tuesday afternoon from La Mirada High School. This is the third straight loss in as many years for the Oilers when going head-to-head versus the Matadores, second in the postseason (2024 SoCal Regional Semifinals). 

Jared Grindlinger began the day on the right foot for the Oilers offense, unloading on his first home run of the season, a solo strike to dead center, just two batters into the game. This was the 20th game of the season where the Oilers got on the board first and 11th game when hitting at least one home run. 

Starting pitcher Cayden Hammond doled out a clean first two innings, totaling three strikeouts in that time. While preserving a 1-0 lead, the Matadores shocked the Oilers in the third with a five-run, nine batter frame that consisted of four hits (two doubles and two singles) and a squeeze bunt. This was the largest scoring inning allowed by the entire Oilers pitching staff all season long. 

La Mirada reliever Jacob Oropeza, who entered the game with two outs in the second, completely dominated the afternoon. He yielded only one hit and two hit batsmen in five and one-third innings, while retiring 16 of the final 18 batters faced. 

As the wind was clearly knocked out of the Oilers sail, La Mirada pounced on more scoring opportunities with a run in the fifth and five more in the sixth, stretching their lead to 11-1. The highest run total given up by the Oilers this season was seven to Los Alamitos on April 24, also with nine hits on the day for the Matadores, they matched the most by an opposing team (March 18 vs. Marina).

The final hit of the year from the Oilers came with two outs in the seventh as Jason Dunham ripped a double off the left field wall, finishing his senior campaign with 25 hits and six doubles.    

With this emotional loss, the Oilers find themselves saying goodbye to a tremendous group of 2026 seniors. The 16 players (Sol Moriyama, Owen Bone, Tommy August, Gavin Lloyd, Brayden Wood, Mason Tapia, Gavin Pluma, Leo Aguilar, Charlie Henderson, Dane Cunningham, Jared Grindlinger, Steel Kurtz, Jared Marchbank, Cayden Hammond, Grady Ream and Jason Dunham) led this program with amazing strength, grace and dedication. We are proud to call them "Oilers For Life" as well as the wonderful support from their coaches and families, which is truly the greatest gift of all. 

Oilers Scoring Plays: 

Top 1: Jared Grindlinger Home Run to CF (1-0 HB)

Stars of the Game: 

Jared Grindlinger: Solo HR & 1.1 IP, 0 ER 1 K

Jared Marchbank: 1.1 IP, 0 ER

Dane Cunningham: 1-3, Double

Jason Dunham: 1-3, Double

For all involved with Huntington Beach Oilers Baseball in 2026, we thank you for the countless hours of support and genuine love throughout the season in the good and tough times. We will be back even stronger when the 2027 season kicks off next February!! #TheTeam