BAKERSFIELD, CA - Only one week stands between Bakersfield College's softball team and the 2020 season. BC's Head Coach, Casey Goodman, returns for just her third season at the helm of the program. In the previous two seasons the program has won back-to-back Western State Conference (WSC) North Championships. Goodman, who has also won back-to-back WSC North Coach of the Year Awards, is looking to the past seasons success to keep the program moving forward.
"I am looking forward to just having the opportunity for our students to compete at a high level," said Goodman. "We have a good group of returners that have had a taste of a conference championship, so we are looking for them to lead our freshmen and continue to move our program forward."
The 2020 edition of Renegade Softball will have to replace 2019 WSC North Pitcher of the Year, Kylee Fahy, who moved on to the next level at Texas A&M-Texarkana University. Fans will get to see another year of pitcher/infielder Natilee Parrish, who was named 2019 WSC North Player of the Year. Despite only returning seven players and adding 14, Coach Goodman is relying heavily on the sophomores to push their freshmen and help them grow. "The softball season is so long. We need to make sure we are peaking at the right time and our sophomore class understands what it takes to win. We are hoping they will continue to lead our team," said Goodman.
Parrish, a sophomore appeared in all 40 games for BC last season collecting 12 home runs (5th in the state), 35 RBI's and scored 36 runs. Infielder's Alantis Rede and Alex Venegas are other returners who captured WSC North 1st Team All-Conference honors last season.
Coach Goodman has prepared the Renegades schedule this season to challenge the newly restructured team for conference and regionals. This season the `Gades will open with a doubleheader against two-time defending state champion Mt. SAC and state tournament participant San Mateo. Fans can expect the entire opening weekend to be full of action.
The team will be working hard in spite of the fact they may be a wild card this year. Coach Goodman thinks her team will surprise a lot of people this year because of their positive attitudes and willingness to work hard. They are excited to get the season underway and hope to see the community out cheering them on.
The complete 2020 Renegade Softball schedule can be found through this link or by clicking on the 'Schedule' tab on the Renegade Softball page on GoGades.com. Tickets for home games are $7 for adults and $5 for youth and seniors and can be purchased at the gate at the Dean and Adah Gay Sports Complex on the campus of Bakersfield College. Home games will be streamed live on Facebook, search Bakersfield College Athletics.
Opening day is Friday (1/24) when the team hosts Mt. SAC at 2pm and San Mateo at 6pm. They will then host Santiago Canyon on Saturday (1/25) at 2pm.