by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

Going from freshman to varsity level baseball within a year can be a struggle for the most gifted of players, but standout Claremont High pitcher Brady Houlton is embracing the challenge, going 4-0 with a second best in state 42 strikeouts over his first four starts.

Second-year Claremont High varsity head baseball coach Brian Dorman talks to his team after Monday’s practice. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

Brady led the Wolfpack to a 6-3 win over Victor Valley on Tuesday. On Wednesday Claremont won at Charter Oak, 7-4, behind the pitching of junior starter Walter Bilau, bringing its record to 8-2. The team closes out the preseason at Adelanto High at noon on Saturday. Palomares League play begins at home March 18 against Walnut at 3:30 p.m.

Over 23 preseason innings sophomore Brady has held opponents to a stingy .131 average, given up 11 hits and walked nine for an eye-popping 0.30 ERA. Along with putting him third in the state, his 42 strikeouts are best in the Southern Section and 76th in the nation.

Brady is part of a new look Claremont team that saw 17 seniors graduate in 2025, including three starting pitchers.

“So having a completely new pitching staff, pretty much only returning two starters [senior Reed Miller and junior Nico Vaquez], everyone’s had to step up,” said second year head coach Brian Dorman. “They’ve have had to raise their level. It’s nothing but opportunity for all the new guys. So far, they stepped up to the challenge, and I know they’re looking forward to the next big challenge which will be league.”

Among the new starters, Walter has been notable, picking up the win Wednesday and holding preseason hitters to a .269 average with 24 strikeouts and just two walks over 19 innings for a ERA of 2.17. Junior closer Gilbert Perez has also been solid. Prior to Wednesday’s game Gilbert had given up eight hits and held hitters to a .160 average over 13 innings with 16 Ks, five walks, two saves, and a 1.08 ERA.

“I’ve just been pitching. I try my best,” Gilbert said. “All glory to God.”

Sophomore Patrick Delgado takes batting practice Monday at CHS. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

Claremont’s great pitching has been helped considerably by solid defense. The Pack has allowed 23 runs over 10 games and scored 43. Junior catcher Jacob Lucas, a transfer from Etiwanda, has a team-leading 10 hits, including three doubles, and is hitting .345.

“I’m just trying to have a simple approach, just get on base, not try to do too much,” Jacob said. “Our number one rule is that we’re way better with runners on the base, so if I can start it off and maybe steal second, advance to third, then I’m doing my job. I just hit singles. Maybe a little double here and there and then make my way on base.”

Jacob also had praise for the pitching staff.

“They make my life easy,” he said of Brady and Gilbert. “They throw everything on the plate. So yeah, catching [them] is very fun. They always hit the spots and they’re nasty.”

“I think we’re just off to a great start with really good pitching,” Dorman said. “[We] found a way to put enough runs across and play tight games and find a way to win tight games … I think we’ve done enough in big moments of situational hitting, but for the most part it’s been really about throwing strikes, playing pretty good defense.”

The team is looking to do well in the Palomares League with an eye on earning a bid to the CIF-SS playoffs, Dorman said.

Junior pitcher Gilbert Perez warms up during Monday’s practice at Claremont High. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo