After finishing the regular season on an eight-game winning streak and pulling away with the Western State Conference championship, Bakersfield College softball garnered a No. 13 seed in the Southern California Regional playoffs.

BC finished the regular season with a 26-14-1 overall record and a 15-3 conference record.

The Renegades will travel to No. 4 Cerritos for a best-of-three regional first round series May 7-8.

If they win, they continue on to the second round of regionals, which are May 14-15.

The State Finals could potentially be a home game for the Renegades if they advance in the Super Regionals. With a win or loss for BC, the Finals will be held at the Dean and Adah Gay Sports Complex May 20-22.

“The goal all year was to get in the final four and play at home. It would be awesome,” said softball head coach Sandi Taylor.

BC finished the season with wins against Sylmar (7-0), L.A. Valley (9-0, 10-2), Citrus (10-0, 7-3, 1-0), and Santa Monica (23-0, 19-0).

A month ago, April 1, the Renegades lost a doubleheader to Cerritos at BC, 7-1 and 8-4, and brought their record to a blundering 14-13 overall, 4-3 WSC.

“Those games were games eight and nine in a span of seven days.?

“We definitely finished strong and actually started playing really well after the games a month ago,” said Taylor.

Since that point, the Renegades have rattled off 12 wins in 13 games.

The Renegades have used a combination of good pitching and the fact that their bats woke up to get them in to position to make a playoff run. Taylor knew it was just a matter of time.

“I am not surprised by our success. This is a special group, and it’s exciting to have played so well and win the conference,” she said.

“If we can make a run for the state title it will be a total team effort and very exciting to be a part of.”

Cerritos finished second in the South Coast Conference to Mt. San Antonio College, but still managed to win 22 of its last 25 games.

Cerritos also has its share of top quality players.

Pitcher Jessica Lozano went 15-2 and received Pitcher of the Year honors, while first team SCC honors went to catcher Jessica Roper, shortstop Brianna Quintana and outfielder Shawnee Kirk.

As for what the Renegades need to do well to beat Cerritos, Taylor believes there is just one thing.

“Our entire team has been hitting exceptionally well down the stretch, and we need to keep playing with confidence,” said Taylor.

Taylor received the WSC Coach of the Year award for winning the conference crown while pitcher Julie Estep took home Pitcher of the Year honors.

First team All-Conference honors went to infielders Bobo Brown, Laura Fox, Brandi Church and catcher Kara Frankhouser.

“The awards are great, however each of us realize that the honors are impossible without every member of our team and coaching staff,” said Taylor.