Winners of four of their last five, Bakersfield College’s softball team is pushing forward to the regional playoffs with an 18-14 record overall and 7-3 in the Western State Conference.
The Renegades picked up wins against College of the Canyons 5-0, Glendale 6-1 and 5-4 and Cuesta College 15-2.
“The first three games we won were big conference games because College of the Canyons was ahead of us and Glendale was right behind us, so those were three big games,” said BC head softball coach Sandi Taylor. “Four-out-of-five, we’re playing pretty good and I feel real confident. We only have 8 games left to play and we’re right where we need to be.”
The loss came when BC played Mt. San Antonio College for the second time this season. The Renegades lost 10-3 in the first game earlier this season March 26 and 5-0 on April 9.
“The score in the first one, 10-3, sounded bad, but in reality there were a lot of singles. Like 11 singles or something like that they put together. Where as this game, they beat us 5-0, but they didn’t get as many hits and a couple of hits they got we probably should have been a little more aggressive on,” Taylor said. “I wasn’t real pleased with the way we swung the bats against them. We didn’t swing with much confidence, although we had a couple chances to score, we just didn’t swing the bats the way we’re capable of against that caliber of a pitcher.”
Taylor mentioned what she learned about her team after the last five games.”What I take away from it is, if we get going and everybody gets on track, and has that belief that we can beat them, then I know we’re right there with them physically. It’s just a matter of stepping over that hurdle and having confidence.”
Up next for the Renegades is a double header at Santa Monica then a home matchup against Citrus College and another double header against L.A. Valley at home. BC then travels to L.A. Mission to finish off the regular season. All six games are WSC matchups, which will determine playoff positioning and seeding.
“I hope they realize that they are capable, I’m sure they’re playing with confidence, so that’s the key. Not playing with over confidence, but being humble enough to know you have to work at it. But I feel real good about the space we’re in,” said Taylor. As for what Taylor plans on telling the team before the push into the playoffs, she mentioned this week of practice and getting back to basic was important, but just as important is enjoying the game. “All we’re really going to talk about is that it’s now time to sit back, relax and have fun with all the things that they’ve worked hard to get to. There is nothing going to surprise them, nothing is new, it’s just a matter of being fine tuned and ready to go.”