The Diamond Bar Brahmas hosted back-to-back non-league opponents this week but came up short in both contests, falling to the Temple City Rams 10-7 in a game shortened by darkness on Wednesday before dropping a 7-1 decision to the Upland Highlanders on Thursday.

Diamond Bar showed offensive life throughout the two-game stretch, collecting 17 total hits, including several strong individual performances at the plate.

Temple City 10, Diamond Bar 7

(Wednesday, March 4 – Diamond Bar High School)

The Brahmas jumped out to an early lead but were unable to hold off a late Temple City rally as the Rams claimed a 10-7 victory in a game called after six innings due to darkness. Because the contest passed the minimum five innings required, the result was ruled an official game.

Temple City opened the scoring in the top of the first inning when Josh Jones singled to drive in the game’s first run.

Diamond Bar responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning, pushing across three runs to take a 3-1 lead. Dominic Tortorelli started the rally with an RBI single down the right field line, Jacob Smith followed with an RBI double to center field, and Kyle Shibley added another run after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

The Brahmas extended their lead in the second inning when Ayden Torres drove in a run with a groundout, giving Diamond Bar a 4-2 advantage.

Temple City tied the game in the third inning on a Jones triple and an RBI single by Joshua Cooper.

Diamond Bar regained momentum in the bottom of the third inning when Jeremiah Jung delivered an RBI single down the right field line, Elijah Kim added an RBI single to right field, and the Brahmas capitalized on a Rams error to build a 7-4 lead.

However, the Rams flipped the game in the fifth inning with a six-run rally on four hits. Peyton Navarat delivered the biggest hit of the inning with a two-run single as Temple City surged ahead 10-7.

Temple City collected 13 hits in the contest. Nate Platon and Cooper each recorded three hits, while Navarat and Jones drove in two runs apiece.

Diamond Bar finished with 11 hits, led by Jung, Smith, and Kim with two hits each. Jung, Smith, Tortorelli, Torres, Kim, Shibley, and Diego Merino each drove in a run.

Despite the loss, the Brahmas played clean defense and did not commit an error, with Shibley leading the team defensively with five fielding chances.

Photo Gallery – Temple City vs Diamond Bar

Photos taken by Anthony Sarinana

Upland 7, Diamond Bar 1

Thursday, March 5 – Diamond Bar High School)

The Brahmas returned to action Thursday but ran into a strong Upland offense, as the Highlanders scored four runs in the first inning and went on to secure a 7-1 non-league victory.

Upland jumped on the scoreboard early, stringing together three doubles in the opening frame. Carson Kinnick began the rally with an RBI double, Darien Maung followed with a run-scoring groundout, Elliot Cresap added another RBI double, and Tommy Lopez capped the inning with a run-scoring double to give the Highlanders a 4-0 lead.

Kinnick continued his big night in the third inning when he launched a solo home run to center field.

Upland extended its lead in the fourth inning when Jaedan Quemada connected on a two-run home run to right field.

Kinnick finished the game 3-for-3 at the plate, recording a double, a single, and a home run to lead the Highlanders’ offense.

Upland totaled 11 hits in the game, with Lopez and Angelo Mantilla also recording multiple hits.

Diamond Bar’s lone run came on an RBI by Jacob Smith. Leadoff hitter Jeremiah Jung continued his strong play, collecting three hits to lead the Brahmas at the plate.

The Brahmas once again played solid defense and did not commit an error.

Looking Ahead

Diamond Bar will look to bounce back when the Brahmas return home to host Esperanza on Tuesday.

Temple City continues its schedule with a home matchup against La Salle on Friday, while Upland will travel to face Calvary Chapel on Wednesday.