HB, Edison to play for titles

The moment has arrived for the Edison and Huntington Beach High baseball teams.

Angel Stadium awaits Saturday as CIF champions will be decided.

Huntington Beach faces Crespi in the Division II championship game at 4:30 p.m., then Edison will play Capistrano Valley in the Division I title game at 7:30 p.m.

The Oilers are making the first CIF title game appearance in the 105-year history of Huntington Beach High baseball, while Edison last won a title in 2001.

It has been a magical ride for Huntington Beach, which entered the Division II playoffs as a wildcard team and knocked off three straight league champions – including Yucaipa, the top-ranked team in the state. Then the Oilers hung on for a 9-8 victory at Chino Hills to book their spot in the finals and make history for their school.

Edison, meanwhile, blew past the first two rounds before edging Dana Hills, 3-2, in the quarterfinals and Mater Dei, 2-1, in the semifinals.

CIF rules dictate that pitchers can pitch 10 innings per week. This may be more important in the Edison game, as it means Capo Valley senior standout Tyler Matzek can pitch Saturday, but only for three innings. Matzek pitched seven innings Tuesday in the semifinals, as did Edison sophomore Henry Owens.

Senior Kurt Heyer is expected to start for the Chargers, and the Oilers may start senior Blake Cestr, who got the win over Yucaipa. No. 1 starter Barry Luke does have four innings of eligibility for the title game, as well.

For those who can’t make it out to Angel Stadium, both championship games will be broadcast live at www.cifss.org courtesy of vootage.com.