In the new Hacienda League format teams face each other twice in the same week.

Winning on Wednesday doesn't count more, but it sure makes things a lot easier for Friday's rematch.

Diamond Bar (7-1,2-1) totaled 10 hits, got a complete-game performance from senior Zeph Walters and took advantage of three Los Altos errors while cruising to a 9-1 win.

"Anytime you can win the opener it's important," Brahmas coach Eric Shibley said. "With the change in the league format this year, getting the first win is huge. You don't want to be guessing and chasing that second game."

Walters scattered six hits and struck out 10 as he pitched his first complete game of the season.

"This is the first time this season we've stretched out the innings and the pitch count," Walters said. "I was working on spotting up my pitches, throwing strikes, and letting my defense work behind me."

The Conquerors (5-3,0-1) had a chance for a big inning but had to settle for one run as Walters got out of the jam.

With two outs in the top of the third, Jacob Blackiston reached base on an error, James Mendez walked and Estaban Ortega singled to drive in Blackiston.

Joey Franco singled to right but a strong throw from Jacob Cooke forced the runner to hold at third. Walters then got a flyball for the final out.

"I was able to get out of that jam in the third," Walters said. "Then we came up in the bottom of the inning and broke it open. I was able to put it on cruise control from there."

Designated hitter Austin Manzani doubled to lead off the inning for the Brahmas. Nolan Luzzi sacrificed but the ball was thrown away, letting Manzani score and Luzzi reach second base.

With one out, Tommy Delgadillo singled and the ball skipped past the centerfielder. Sean Patton singled to drive in the fourth run and the Brahmas never looked back.

"It got away from us," Conquerors coach Andrew Formano said. "That's what happens when you can't play catch. It makes the game really hard. Isaiah (Roybal) pitched really well and he had opportunities to get himself out of those jams. Unfortunately, his defense didn't back him up."

Cooke tripled to lead off the fifth inning for the Brahmas. He scored on a groundout by Patton.

The Brahmas scored four more runs in the bottom of the sixth to put the game out of reach.

"Zeph did a great job today," Shibley said. "He has all season. This was his longest outing but he felt good and said he was ready to go. They made a couple mistakes, but that's high school baseball. The important thing was our kids were able to take advantage of those opportunities. We try and execute and take advantage of what they give us."

PHOTO:

Diamond Bar's Sean Patton scores on a double by Casey Kernohan in the third inning of Wednesday's 9-1 victory over Los Altos. (Keith Birmingham / Staff Photographer)