Photos: Huntington Beach's bats explode for 13 hits in 9-2 SoCal Regional semifinal win over Villa Park
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. -- Huntington Beach's big offensive afternoon began with a strikeout. Leadoff hitter Aidan Espinoza went down looking to begin the bottom of the first inning, but the next eight Oilers reached base safely in the frame. Huntington Beach ended up scoring six runs in the first en route to a 9-2 win over Villa Park in the Division 1 CIF State Southern Regional semifinals.
Star Huntington Beach junior Ralphy Velazquez started the first inning rally with a double. He scored the Oilers first run after a throwing error before Dean Carpentier and Nick Dumensil hit RBI singles. Huntington Beach sophomore Tony Martinez then connected on a two-RBI single. One batter later, Cade Hart bunted back to Villa Park starter AJ Krodel on a squeeze play and Carpentier beat the throw home making it 6-1 Huntington Beach.
"I know I can always rely on my guys over there to do something because they're the best," Espinoza said. "All props to them. They won us the game and I'm just happy we got it done."
Espinoza got in on the fun at the plate later in the game. The junior center fielder hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the fourth.
"I was struggling a little bit before," Espinoza said. "My second at bat I was taking some good swings, but I wasn't finding the ball and [on the third one], I found a fastball up and I was just confident, happy. I was happy to be in that situation."
The Oilers scored their eighth run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning on another RBI single from Martinez. Jay Schulze made the score 9-1 in the six inning with an RBI single.
Huntington Beach starter Jack Smith threw a gem striking out 12 in 6 1/3 innings. Adyn Lucero recorded the last two outs for the Oilers.
"Jack's legit," Espinoza said. "Our whole pitching staff is legit."
Villa Park senior Britton Beeson hit a home run in the top of the first inning and the Spartans plated a second run in the top of the seventh.
Huntington Beach will play JSerra on the road on Saturday in the Division 1 CIF State Southern Regional championship. The Lions beat Notre Dame 5-4 in the other semifinal.
Here are photos from Thursday's semifinal game:
All photos by Nick Koza
