Baseball: Bonita, Diamond Bar are headed on collision course

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The Hacienda League has all the makings of a terrific regular-season ending two-game showdown set for May 8 and 10 when Bonita (19-2-1, 6-0) takes on Diamond Bar (16-3, 5-1).

Bonita, ranked No. 1 in Southern Section Division 3, is relying on pitching and defense. Transfer students Jon Reid (6-0, 1.54 ERA) and Chad Hockin (5-0, 1.62) have combined with returnee Parker Merritt (5-0, 0.70) to form an imposing trio of pitchers. And with slick-fielding shortstop Justin Row scooping up the ground balls, the Bearcats have a simple strategy for success.

Diamond Bar, ranked No. 4 in Division 3, has shown it can play at a high level at times, particularly when senior pitcher Zeph Walters (7-1, 69 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings) is on the mound. Junior Nolan Luzzi is batting .411 with five triples.

-- Eric Sondheimer