Huntington Beach Is Breaking Into Big Time

Members of the Huntington Beach High School baseball team have differing views on why the Oilers have been so successful this year.

Some say the team’s overall depth has been the difference. Others say it’s because of improved camaraderie. Still others point to some extra-tough conditioning the players went through before the season.

One point the Oilers tend to agree upon, however, is this: In past years, Huntington Beach has seldom gotten the breaks, especially in the last inning.

This year, that is changing.

“Traditionally, we have always been a team that doesn’t get the breaks in the big games,” said Stan Anderson, an assistant coach who played second base for the Oilers from 1983-85.

“We’re known pretty much as a great six-inning ballclub. We have never seemed to get any breaks in the seventh inning. Finally, that seems to be changing. Things are going our way.”

Huntington Beach (10-2, 1-1) is ranked third in the Orange County Sportswriters’ Assn. poll after top-ranked El Dorado (8-2) and Mater Dei (7-1).

The Oilers, unranked in preseason polls, shot to the No. 2 spot two weeks ago after they became the only county team to win nine games.

Their victories include a 5-4 victory over El Dorado in the third round of the Loara tournament and an 8-6 win in 11 innings over Villa Park in the Loara final.

“Both of those (victories) showed the ball is starting to bounce our way,” said Coach Mike Dodd, who is in his seventh season at Huntington Beach. “You’ve got to be getting a few breaks to beat El Dorado.”

Breaks aside, Huntington Beach has what it takes to win, particularly when it comes to depth.

“We have 17 very good ballplayers on this team,” Brad Walker, a senior third baseman, said. “Top to bottom, every guy can play. We’re a team without superstars.”

In 1987, Huntington Beach started six underclassmen. The maturation process has been a big help.

“We’re probably a bit more optimistic this year because of that,” Dodd said. “Last year, we were a bunch of no-name juniors. We’re still a bunch of no-names, but at least we have some experience.”

That is best exemplified by the Oilers’ pitching staff, which, at five deep, is by far Huntington Beach’s greatest strength.

Dominic Alvarez, an All-Sunset League selection as a junior last season, is 3-0 with a 1.99 ERA. Alvarez has struck out 23 in 21 innings.

“He’s one of the best pitchers in the league, no question,” Bill Gibbons, Ocean View coach, said. “He has an excellent slider.”

Tim Wimbish (3-1), David Wentworth (2-0) and Chad Phillips (1-0) also start, and reliever Ken Pope (1-0) has five saves.

The team’s hitting also has improved. The Oilers hit .360 before their first league game last Saturday and are hitting .306 overall. At this time last year, Huntington Beach was hitting .206.

Second baseman Gerad Cawhorn leads the team with a .366 average. Cawhorn is followed by Wimbish (.357), outfielder Chris Bowen (.349), shortstop Jason Bettinger (.333), outfielder Brian Mena (.326) and Alvarez (.313).

Dodd said the improved hitting is a result of the extra conditioning before the season.

“After finishing fourth in the league last year, we’re real motivated to improve,” he said.

And motivated to win. Coaches say the team’s enthusiasm is at an all-time high.

“These guys are all so competitive,” Anderson said. “Right after they beat Westminster last Saturday, they all went and played basketball. They just love to compete.”

For some, perhaps, a bit too much. Immediately after Tuesday’s 4-3 loss to Fountain Valley--”one of those games where the ball didn’t bounce our way,” Dodd said--one Huntington Beach player ran down the left-field line and took out his frustrations by screaming and hurling bats against a fence.

Dodd suspended the player from the team for four days.

“We just will not stand for any of that,” said Dodd, who sternly lectured his team after the incident.

“Baseball is an emotional sport. But it’s also a sport that demands maturity.”

Today, the Oilers will play Ocean View in a Sunset League game at 1 p.m. at Ocean View. The coaches say the game--the last before the spring break--could make or break the Oilers’ momentum.

“It used to seem that the Big Oiler in the sky didn’t show up for our big games,” Dodd said. “I hope he decides to make an appearance or two this season.”