No. 1 Huntington Beach grabs Hard 9 title

Huntington Beach's Andrew Arledge delivers a pitch against Valley Christian during Thursday's Hard 9 National Classic championship game at Cal State Fullerton.
Huntington Beach's Logan Pouelsen makes a throw to first during the Hard 9 National Classic championship game against Valley Christian at Cal State Fullerton.
Huntington Beach's Clint Jack swings at a pitch from Valley Christian's Jason Tate during Thursday's Hard 9 National Classic championship game at Cal State Fullerton.
Huntington Beach's Jarrett Anton fields a ground ball during Thursday's Hard 9 National Classic championship game against Valley Christian at Cal State Fullerton.
Huntington Beach's Tyler Murray slides safely at first before Valley Christian's Ben Hughes can make the tag during Thursday's Hard 9 National Classic championship game at Cal State Fullerton.
Huntington Beach's Troy Stainthjorp walks back to the mount after giving up a 2-run double in the top of the fifth inning during Thursday's Hard 9 National Classic championship game at Cal State Fullerton.

By Antonio Morales | Orange County Register

April 17, 2014 at 10:55 p.m.

Clutch hitting, solid fielding and superb pitching has been a calling card for the Huntington Beach baseball team all season long.

The Oilers were able to string together those three components Thursday night in the Hard 9 National Classic title game at Cal State Fullerton, and once again it produced a favorable result.

Jarrett Anton recorded two RBI singles, one coming in the bottom of the sixth inning, to propel Huntington Beach to a 3-2 victory against Valley Christian of San Jose in the tournament’s championship game.

“I liked the fact that we were resilient and took a lot of their best shots,” Oilers coach Benji Medure said. “Anybody watching that game could tell we got lucky, they hit the ball on the screw all day long … We made some great plays. That is one of the best teams in California. That is one of the best teams we’ll face all year long.”

Anton drove in Ryan Zuanich to break a 2-2 tie in the sixth. He also drove in the first run of the game with a RBI single in the second.

The Huntington Beach pitching staff had enjoyed a smooth ride throughout the first three games of the tournament. The Oilers (17-2), who are ranked No. 1 in the county, allowed just four runs in three games en route to the championship contest.

The Oilers’ smooth ride came to a halt in the fifth inning after starter Andrew Arledge was replaced on the mound by freshman Hagan Danner.

Danner was a bit uneven as he surrendered two runs, a double, hit a batter and walked two batters.

Valley Christian (14-6) took advantage and grabbed its first lead, 2-1, after being held in check by Arledge in the first four innings. Arledge allowed one hit, a double to Kyle Marinconz in the fourth, during his time on the mound.

The Oilers came back to tie the score in the bottom of the fifth when Jesse Kuet scored on a groundout.

“We always take pride in trying to have an answer,” Medure said. “When somebody throws a couple of punches at us, we want to fight back and get one right away.”

In the South Coast League:

Mission Viejo 6, Tesoro 0: Stephen Young threw a one-hitter for the Diablos (16-7, 4-2).

Contact the writer: amorales@ocregister.com