On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Berkeley High School boys baseball lost to Piedmont High School 6-3, after a late game shift in momentum erased an early lead.
Berkeley came out strong, scoring first and holding steady throughout the early innings. The game remained a close battle, tied 1-1 after three innings, before Berkeley regained the lead in the fifth with an RBI (Run Batted In). However, a commanding hit from Piedmont in the sixth inning allowed Piedmont to take control. With two outs, bases loaded, and 0-2 count for Piedmont, BHS junior and pitcher Ezra Brilliant was only one strike away from closing out the inning. Instead, a course-changing hit rocketed past the third base line, bringing in three runs and changing the turnout for good.
Brilliant, who pitched the first six innings, reflected on that moment; “I thought I was rolling,” Brilliant said, “That hit in the sixth inning was definitely the biggest challenge.”
Despite the loss, the team remains focused on the bigger picture of their season. “I’ve got hope that we’re gonna get the momentum rolling again,” Brilliant said, “We had a couple injuries and a couple guys out, but I got a feeling that we’re gonna get the bats rolling again and get the momentum good and get back to where we were at the beginning of the season.”
The team started out strong this year — having won 15 of their first 16 games — but recently the lineup has struggled, losing three of their last four games. Despite the slump, the players emphasized their faith in the group and their goals moving forward.
“This season means a lot because a lot of these guys are leaving next year, and we have a really good team, so we want to make the most out of what we have,” Julian Adorador, BHS junior and infielder said.
Despite recent struggles, this has been one of Berkeley’s strongest teams and seasons in years. Berkeley currently stands as second place in the league and are ranked among the top ten teams in North Coast Section (NCS.) As the regular season comes to a close, the group has their sights set on a deep playoff run. “I think that we can win a state championship this year,” Brilliant said.
Beyond the results, the players cherish the close bond within the squad and qualify their camaraderie as a defining factor in their success. “A bunch of these guys I’ve been close with and been playing with since elementary school, middle school,” BHS junior Quinton Hill echoed, “It’s a brotherhood … We are friends on and off the field.”
Following the loss, the team is looking to bounce back with an emphasis on staying disciplined and the goal of remaining mentally composed. “You have to have a short memory because having a short memory will keep you confident throughout the year,” Adorador said, “They don’t see that at practices we’re really locked in, working on our craft, and trying to get better.”
With the season continuing, Berkeley is focused on regaining momentum and finishing strong. “Just work as hard as you can every day and the results will show,” Brilliant said.