PREP BASEBALL : Daedelow, Huntington Beach Stage Another Comeback

It was a comfortable situation for Huntington Beach’s Craig Daedelow. The Oilers were trailing and he was at the plate late in the game.

A moment later, the score was tied and Huntington Beach was on its way to a 3-2 victory over Capistrano Valley in the first round of the Dole Big West Invitational at Irvine High School.

Daedelow’s two-run triple sparked a three-run sixth. It was the sixth come-from-behind victory this season for the Oilers (10-2), who are ranked second in Orange County. It also was the third consecutive loss for the ninth-ranked Cougars (8-4), who have fallen rapidly.

The Cougars have lost four of six games since they were ranked No. 1 in the county two weeks ago.

“We’re snake-bit,� Cougar assistant coach Ron Drake mumbled after Monday’s game.

Things were going fine for the Cougars through five innings. They were ahead, 2-0, and pitcher Brandon Puffer was sailing along. But the Oilers were far from rattled.

“It doesn’t bother us when we get behind,� said Daedelow, a senior shortstop. “We figure we can come back no matter the score.�

That’s more than idle talk. After all, the Oilers trailed Edison, 11-3, in a game earlier this season and rallied to win, 12-11.

So Monday’s comeback was child’s play.

“I don’t know why we get behind,� Coach Mike Dodd said. “I know we haven’t been swinging the bat real well.�

Daedelow, in fact, is the only Oiler hitting with much consistency lately. He had two triples against the Cougars, including one in the sixth that scored Scott Palmer and Brad Lineberger.

Puffer had been strong until that point. He had given up only two hits and had retired eight in a row going into the sixth.

“The guy’s curve ball was getting me,� Daedelow said. “He threw me only two fastballs. I hit them both for triples.�

Daedelow scored the go-ahead run on a groundout by Jason Segal.

Pitchers Jim Brewer and Ryan Evans closed out the victory. Brewer went 6 2/3 innings, striking out five. His only mistake was a two-run double by Paul Day in the fifth.

Brewer (4-0) didn’t get to face Day again. Evans came in with a runner on first and two outs. He walked Day, then struck out Ryan Gauntner for his third save.

In other Dole Big West games:

Marina 6, San Jose Archbishop Mitty 3--Craig Wilson had two hits, including a single in the sixth that scored two runs, giving the Vikings a 5-3 lead.

La Quinta 8, Reno (Nev.) 0--C.J. Livernois went three for three with two runs scored and Sean Carlson was two for three with two RBIs for La Quinta (12-2).

University 7, Los Amigos 6--Reza Sader got his first victory, pitching five innings of relief for University (5-8-1).

Servite 5, Woodbridge 4 (10)--Mike Sullivan singled in the top of the 10th to bring home Jon Goldsmith with the winning run for Servite (6-4-1).

In the Carlsbad tournament:

San Clemente 7, Tucson (Ariz.) 2--Robert Frith went two for three, including his fourth home run of the season, and Brian Cook added a bases-loaded double for San Clemente (9-4).

In the Coachella Valley tournament:

Edison 9, Blythe Palo Verde 0--Andy Linnen (1-0) gave up one hit and struck out 10 in four innings for Edison (8-3).

In Freeway League baseball:

Sunny Hills 7, La Habra 6--Andy Volpp’s bases-loaded double in the bottom of the seventh scored two runs and completed a four-run rally for Sunny Hills (6-7-1, 2-1).

In the Garden Grove League:

Pacifica 2, Rancho Alamitos 0--Zach Allen and Jeff Barndollar combined on a five-hit shutout for Pacifica (7-8, 2-1).