Before the race began, several Sunset League baseball coaches felt the 2012 league season would be a grind.
They were right.
On the opening day of league play Friday, Huntington Beach, Edison and Marina picked up victories. Huntington's win at Fountain Valley turned out to be a thriller. The Oilers, ranked third in CIF Division 1, had to rally in the seventh inning to pull out a 5-4 win over the Barons.
Fountain Valley (6-2) took a 4-1 lead into the top of the seventh, where Huntington staged a big rally in its final at bat. Jesse Kuet hit a leadoff single, Adam Daymude walked on a 3-2 pitch and Jake Caron singled to load the bases. Brett Urabe then came to the plate and delivered a grand slam over the fence in left field, to put the Oilers on top, 5-4.
The Barons put runners at first and second in the bottom of the seventh, but couldn't produce another run.