After a 1-5 record in preseason, the Diamond Bar High School softball team picked up the pace once league competition began.

After facing tough losses against Chino and Glendora, 7-5 and 6-5, the Lady Brahmas have won their past three consecutive league games against Ayala, 8-7 and 6-5, and Glendora, 4-3. The team lost 6-5 against South Hills last Thursday. The team has a 5-4 league record.

Under new head coach Kurt Davies, the team is tied for second in the Palomares League and in playoff contention.

“Our toughest opponent is ourselves. If we can play the way that we think we should be able to play, then it doesn’t matter who the opponent is,” Davies said.

Senior Ellen Lasko, junior Kimberley Flores and sophomore Sarah Zepeda have been leading the team in batting and RBIs. All three girls have been hitting above .400 with Zepeda leading the team with .481. Senior Elizabeth Wilson is currently leading the team in RBIs with nine and home runs with two.

“I feel like I just relaxed this year… I’ve just been having fun so I’ve been loosening up with my mentality,” Lasko said.  “Between each inning and after each inning, we huddle up and talk about what to do… this year, I think I’ve been a central voice for everyone to play off of.”

According to Davies, freshman Alexis Martinez has carried the pitching load, striking out 24 hitters in 57 innings.

The team has battled through  some tough losses and midseason adjustments to get to this point.

“Our motto and our battle cry is the term ‘this one,’” Davies said. “What that means is that no matter what happens, we have to turn the page and focus on the next game, the next at bat, the next pitch. With that mentality, it’s easier to get over tough losses and worry about the next game.”