Starting the season off with a 5-3 record, the Diamond Bar’s varsity boys baseball faces a challenging season ahead in the Palomares League that include teams with highly respected baseball programs.

Just from a sample of preseason games, DB have shown great flashes of offensive and defensive production. The Brahmas started off with a win against El Rancho 4-1. In a game against Oak Hills High School, DB won 8-0, bringing in four runs in the third and sixth inning. Few days later, DB demolished Flintridge Prep 14-3, getting 10 runs in the second inning. After the big win against Flintridge Prep, DB continued their momentum and shut out Northview High School, 11-0.

Although DB seems to mesh well, it is in the process of filling in two vital positions to the team. Two first time varsity players, junior Jarret Hsieh and sophomore Eric Winchester are competing for the starter position at catcher. The other position is on the pitching staff. Having two games a week, coach Eric Shibley is looking for a player besides senior captain Gerardo Ramirez to step up in order to be the second starting pitcher for the Brahmas.

Seniors captains Ramirez, Brett Tweedie, and Jacob Cooke are the star players of this year’s team with loads of varsity experience. Ramirez and Tweedie have been on varsity since their sophomore year and Cooke, who is expected to lead the team, has been on varsity since his freshman year.

“Last year we made it to the second round of playoffs, so hopefully we play well and make it further into the playoffs this year,” Cooke said.

DB’s main competition this year includes teams like Glendora, Ayala, South Hills, and Claremont.

Besides the usual infield and batting practices, each practice differs because, according to Shibley, there are too many things that he wants to teach them, but not enough time during practice.

Last year, DB came in second in league with a 9-3 record just behind Bonita’s 10-2. In the first round of CIF, DB went against West High School, winning 4-3 and moving onto the second round against Warren High School. Unfortunately, the Warriors won in the last inning, 4-1.

“Every day looks a little different trying to do our best as the coach and staff to keep those on the field sharp and trying to retain information both in the physical standpoint and mental standpoint,” Shibley said.