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Huntington Beach softball coach Jeff Forsberg understands how players and teams succeed in hitting.
Not only is Forsberg in his 21st season leading the Oilers, his background includes coaching reigning World Series MVP Freddie Freeman of Dodgers in travel baseball about 25 years ago.
So, when it comes to explaining how fourth-ranked Huntington Beach (7-0) is averaging an eye-opening 11.7 runs per game, Forsberg knows why.
“(We’re) feeding off each other,” he said on Monday. “(We) pass (the energy) down the lineup and no one takes an at-bat off. And each kid brings something different to the plate: speed, contact, power.”
Forsberg is quick to caution that the season is young, but calls the Oilers’ offensive start the best of his tenure. The squad’s 7-0 start is its best since 2021.
Eight Huntington Beach players are hitting at least .381.
Sophomore Bree Carlson is hitting a team-leading .640 with six doubles, five home runs and 22 RBIs.
Senior captains Tea Gutierrez and Morgan Drotter are hitting .526 and .500, respectively.
The Oilers’ lineup also features three players hitting at least .400 in sophomore Willow Kellen (.474), senior captain Cali Bennett (.462) and senior Zariah Billinger (.417).
Sophomores Maleah Humble (.385) and Emma Johnson (.381) help round out the sizzling lineup.
Huntington Beach will face stiff competition in the coming weeks.
In the Sunset League, the Oilers play host to Los Alamitos on Tuesday and travel to Fountain Valley and Marina on Thursday and Saturday, respectively. They play the Michelle Carew Classic next week.
“A long way to go,” Forsberg said.
PITCHING STANDOUTS
Michigan commit Mia Valbuena of Marina pitched consecutive 1-hitter shutouts against Edison and Fountain Valley last week. The junior had 15 strikeouts in a 3-0 win against Edison and 14 in a 1-0 victory against Fountain Valley.
Ocean View sophomore Elyse Pendergraft threw a no-hitter for Ocean View in a 10-0 win over Corona del Mar last week.
DUGARD TOURNAMENT UPDATE
The Gold Division semifinals of the Dugard tournament Saturday pit Redondo-La Serna and Palos Verdes-Torrance at Bill Barber Park. Aliso Niguel, El Toro and Woodbridge each lost in the quarterfinals Monday.
TOP GAMES THIS WEEK
Pacifica (8-4, 2-0) plays host to El Modena (10-2, 1-1) on Thursday at 3:15 p.m. in the teams’ first Crestview League game.
On Friday, Orange Lutheran (7-1) plays host JSerra (8-6) at 3:30 p.m. in the Trinity League. Orange Lutheran pitcher Jo Marsh, who is committed to UCLA, is eligible to make her debut after observing the sitout period, Lancers coach Steve Miklos confirmed. Friday marks the end of the sitout period for transfers in softball and baseball.
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