In a high-stakes showdown at the Division 4 CIF-SS Ford Softball Championships, the Diamond Bar Brahmas showcased their resilience and determination, clinching a hard-fought 7-5 win over the Sultana Sultans to advance to the semi-finals.

Hosting the Sultans for the crucial second round game, both teams entered with a history of intense competition, having split victories in a previous doubleheader. With a spot in the semi-finals on the line, the stakes couldn’t have been higher.

From the opening inning, the Brahmas offense asserted their dominance, igniting the scoreboard with a flurry of runs. Led by standout performances from Caitlin Esteves and SoSo Hayes, Diamond Bar surged ahead to claim a commanding 3-1 lead after the first inning of play.

As the game progressed, the Brahmas continued to showcase their offensive prowess, extending their lead to 5-1 heading into the fourth inning, courtesy of Hayes’ explosive hitting and clutch plays from her teammates.

However, the Sultans refused to go down without a fight, mounting a late-game comeback bid in the top of the seventh inning. Trailing 7-4, they managed to narrow the deficit to just two runs, setting the stage for a tense finale.

With the pressure mounting and the bases loaded, Diamond Bar turned to junior pitcher Anahlee Alinas to close out the game. Displaying nerves of steel, Alinas delivered a masterful performance, stifling the Sultana offense and securing the Brahmas hard-earned victory.

Throughout the game, the contributions of freshman pitcher Yennah Song and senior catcher Caitlin Esteves proved instrumental, with Song’s six strikeouts and Esteves’ adept game-calling guiding the Brahmas to success.

With the win, Diamond Bar advances to the semi-finals, where they will enjoy home-field advantage once again as they face off against Orange Vista on Thursday, May 9th at 3:15 pm.