Brahmas score first league win
BASEBALL Sophomore Lombard is a bright spot in the frustrating season.
April 26, 2017
Struggling to rebound from the Chino Tournament, the Diamond Bar High School baseball team continues to battle for wins, compiling a 6-16 record and 1-8 league record.
After suffering 11 consecutive losses, the Brahmas broke their losing streak with a win over the Arlington Lions 8-3 in the Santa Ana Elks Varsity Tournament, only to be followed by two more defeats, concluding the tournament with a 1-3 record.
“[The win] gives them confidence and shows them that they can be successful, but they have to go about their business in a more professional manner in order to get them to the next level that will allow them to compete in the Palomares League,” Head Coach Jonathan Hurst said.
Over spring break, the team competed against the Glendora Tartans twice, losing both league games, 8-0 and 9-4. The Brahmas were dominated by the Ayala Bulldogs in a crushing 13-1 defeat last Wednesday, but were followed by a 5-4 win against the Bulldogs two days after.
“We’re a very young team, and we’re trying to compete in a very good league, so we’re trying to build a program from the ground floor,” Hurst said. “If there’s anything we need to get better at, we need to be more offensive as a whole.”
Although the majority of the team is comprised of upperclassmen, the coaches have been integrating the underclassmen, sophomore William Lombard and freshman Alonzo Fuller into the games.
Lombard has played well enough to be a potential MVP candidate, according to Hurst, along with co-captain senior Eric Winchester, who pitches and plays first base. The two are also leading the team in batting, with Lombard hitting .302 and Winchester .304.
However, the team’s overall batting average remains at .260, below the national batting average for high school baseball.
Similarly, their on base percentage (.335) and earned run average (3.39) are also not near national levels. The Brahmas will be competing against South Hills Bearcats today at 3:30 in their 10th league game.