POMONA — Coming off a fifth-place finish in the Valle Vista League, it would make sense if most people didn’t expect much from the Diamond Ranch softball team during its first year in the Mt. Baldy League.

They’re starting to expect a little more now.

The Panthers scored two runs in the fourth inning and four in the sixth, keeping their league title hopes alive Wednesday with a 6-1 victory over first-place Don Lugo.

The victory moves Diamond Ranch (13-8 overall, 8-3 league) within one game of Don Lugo (15-4-1, 9-2). Chino is tied with Diamond Ranch for second. Each team has four games remaining including Diamond Ranch playing at Don Lugo today.

“We like to be the underdog,” Diamond Ranch coach Robert Alaan said. “We wanted to come into this season, into this league trying to make a statement.”

Was Wednesday’s win a statement?

“I would like to believe it is,” Alaan said. “Especially a team (Don Lugo) like that. This is a solid team. I’m more happy for their performance … because they stepped up to the plate and they were able to perform. I think it’s a momentum and confidence-builder for our girls.”

Diamond Ranch senior Izel Avalos not only got on base four times out of the leadoff spot, but from the circle she shut down a potent Conquistadores’ offense. Don Lugo had averaged 10.5 runs per game in league and defeated the Panthers 14-4 in the first league matchup April 7. Don Lugo had also scored at least 12 runs in each of its last three games.

Avalos allowed six hits, walked one, hit two, and the run she allowed was unearned. She also struck out eight.

Avalos is bound for East Texas A&M as an infielder and pitches in high school only out of necessity. She did not pitch against Don Lugo in the first league matchup. Avalos did however pitch against Don Lugo in an 8-4 Conquistadores win in the Ontario Christian Tournament March 1.

“This time, we were a little bit more prepared,” Avalos said. “We knew especially their 3 through 5 in the lineup, now we know not to pitch them high.”

Don Lugo was playing without one of its big bats and pitchers, senior Jade Curiel (11 home runs), who was sick Wednesday.

“Losing is part of the game. We’re going to come back and regroup,” Don Lugo coach Daniel Robles said. “We need to be more patient, take your time. Play your part. Things will come.”

Don Lugo scored the game’s first run in the second inning on a double by Angeline Canez, a single by Alyssa Martinez and a fielding error.

Alaan said his team had prepared in practice to face Curiel in the circle. Instead they faced freshman Randi Barrios, although Robles said Barrios probably would have pitched Wednesday even if Curiel was healthy.

It wasn’t until the fourth inning that the Panthers broke through. A walk by Elena Rodriguez, a bunt single by Emma Ramirez were followed by a one-out single to right by Annette Gutierrez.

Gutierrez then rounded first, drawing a throw and allowed Ramirez to score the go-ahead run.

Diamond Ranch pulled off a similar play in the four-run sixth, which allowed Avalos to score on a single by Rayanna Quintanar.

“We practice that,” Alaan said. “We try to put pressure on the defense. A lot of our practices are like that. Not only for us offensively, but for defensive work.”

Diamond Ranch also showed patience at the plate, drawing seven walks against Barrios, three of which scored.