BASEBALL

* Diamond Bar at Esperanza, 3 p.m. Friday: Esperanza (19-7-1) has won its last nine games--including playoff victories over Chino Ayala and Servite--and continues to gain confidence it can repeat as Southern Section Division I champion. But Diamond Bar (20-7) certainly doesn’t fear Orange County teams. The Brahmas handed La Quinta its only loss to date (3-1 in the Santa Ana Elks spring tournament) and knocked off Mater Dei, 8-6, Tuesday. Diamond Bar’s other playoff victory was 10-5 over Ontario.

* Western at Brea Olinda, 3 p.m. Friday: This will be the fourth time these Orange League teams have met this season. Brea (19-8-1) has won twice, 6-4 and 4-3, with one game ending in a 1-1 tie after eight innings. Friday’s winner has a spot in the Division III semifinals. Western (19-7-1) will have to find another big-time pitcher besides senior right-hander Brandon Herbert, who has won both playoff games over Laguna Hills (12-0) and Santa Margarita (2-1). The Wildcats should turn to senior right-hander Scott Davis, who has beaten Western twice.

* La Canada St. Francis at La Quinta, 3 p.m. Friday: La Quinta (28-1) has breezed through its first two playoff games. St. Francis (15-9-1) showed it has some sock with its 17-1 blasting of Hesperia on Tuesday.