After making it to the second round of the Super Regionals last year, the Bakersfield College softball team finished last season with a 29-15 record.
Yet with several veteran players gone and a freshman-dominated roster, it will be a long hard road to accomplish a similar feat.
“We lost eight sophomores, and then two freshmen didn’t return that were instrumental last year,” said head coach Sandi Taylor. “We are young, and inexperienced, and it’s going to take some games under our belt to get it going, but I’m hopeful that through hard work and commitment we will get better each day, and that’s the goal anyway.”
Taylor is counting on the leadership of her returning players to help the freshmen step up, particularly from shortstop Brittney Roberts defensively, and pitcher Kelsey Best from on the mound.
Taylor also seems confident in her freshman players.
“Brook Charles . . . [is] extremely athletic and a team player, willing to go behind the plate when we need her and plays in the outfield. And then Kaylee Rice . . . [is] another extremely athletic kid that’s going to step in behind the plate and do some things for us. Then there are several that have really stepped up and worked hard . . . we have a couple of kids on the mound who are freshmen.”
With this new lineup Coach Taylor has a new focus.
“We have to play solid defense,” said Taylor. “If we give up nine [runs], we have to score 10. If we can try to give up fewer then we don’t have to score as many. . . . right now my goal is to shore up our defense, [and the] pitching staff needs to get some experience under their belt.”
The team’s first game against Fullerton College on Jan 26 was postponed due to rain and has not yet been rescheduled. They will be playing at Fresno City College at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 1.
That game will start a busy schedule of non-conference action with the Renegades traveling to Santa Barbara Feb. 5 for a 2:30 p.m. contest.
BC will play at home against Cuesta at 5 p.m. on Feb. 7, and then travels to Taft Feb. 12 for a 2:30 p.m. game.