After a successful preseason, the Diamond Bar boys baseball team is currently struggling to remain in contention for the Palomares League title. With eight games remaining in the regular season, the Brahmas are now in fifth place with an overall record of 10-9 and a league record of 3-4.

The Brahmas kicked off the break with an 8-1 loss against Hesperia High School in the Don Lugo Easter Tournament. In a home game against Paramount High School, the first of three games in the Don Lugo Spring Break Tournament, DB won by a whopping 13-1, bringing in six and seven runs in the first and second inning, respectively. DB could not keep up the momentum the following day, when the Brahmas lost a close game against Don Lugo High School, 9-8. In the last Spring Break Tournament game, the Brahmas celebrated a close win against Capistrano Valley Christian, 8-7, scoring runs in almost every inning.

In the last inning against CVC, senior first baseman Gabriel Duenas hit a double down the line, allowing junior third baseman Kevin Han to score the tying run. Cooke then hit a ground ball toward CVC’s third baseman for what seemed like an easy out. However, CVC’s infielder misjudged the play, allowing Duenas to score the winning run on a throwing error.

Competition became fiercer last year, when it was decided that DB would move up from the Hacienda League to the tougher Palomares League. In their new playing field, the Brahmas face more seasoned teams like Bonita, Glendora, Ayala, and South Hills. The Brahmas are currently three games back from the 5-1 first place Ayala Bulldogs.

“I hope we finish strong. Each game counts, because in our new league, every team is capable of beating each other. Not one team dominates the other,” Duenas said.

Senior captain Gerardo Ramirez leads the team as the leading pitcher for the team, however, the pitching rotation remains a question mark. Coach Eric Shibley is looking for consistency in the pitching rotation.

“We still have a lot of room for improvement. We’ll continue to work on those areas each day at practice,” Shibley said via e-mail.

Currently, Cooke is leading the Brahmas with a total of 13 runs batted in. Close behind Cooke is senior first baseman Dylan Miller with 12 RBI. Junior outfielder Keola Viloria has the top batting average of .438.

“We are having an up and down year. Having said that, our boys are still in good shape in league. We are one game out of third place at the moment. If we play the game the way our kids are capable, we could end the year strong. Making the playoffs is our number one goal at the moment. If we play clean baseball the rest will take care of itself,” Shibley said.