Last Thursday the Bakersfield College softball team went on the road for the first game of the season against Taft College and won 7-0.
Freshmen pitcher Jessica Simpson, Julie Estep, and Annissa Carrendar combined for a one-hitter.
Laura Fox, Brittney Messer, and Jazmin Irvin all had two hits.
Infielder Danielle Ayer was injured during the game.
“As I was sliding into home plate I sprained my ankle. It’s not too bad, the trainer said it’s only mild, but it still hurts,” Ayer said. “I should be able to play in the next game.”
Head Coach Sandi Taylor is confident in her team’s improvements over the offseason.
“We have been in a bit of a rut, but we have a lot of left-handed speed, depth at pitching, and we did a lot of team bonding in the offseason,” said Coach Sandi Taylor.
“We will play every game our hardest and hope the winning comes our way.”
Freshman catcher Kara Frankhouser commented on the team’s transition from last year.
“With only four sophomores and the rest freshman you’d think this is a rebuilding year, but in our case we have all crossed paths during either club or high school ball,” Frankhouser said. “Like our practice shirts say ‘New year, New team, Same Dream.’
“We host the state finals here and I definitely think we can be a part of it.”
The three returners are third baseman Fox, outfielder Courtney McCormack, and pitcher Taylor Ward. Fox was second all-team Western State Conference last season.
One of the non-returners that Taylor was enthusiastic about was former Wichita State player BreAnna Brown.
Brown had a .238 batting average and three home runs for the Shockers in 2009 before transferring for personal reasons.
“I expect to bring my knowledge about [Division I] softball to the girls and help them all become better players by pushing them harder,” Brown said.
The team will host a double header against San Diego City this Friday, which is the one-year anniversary of the softball stadium being open.
“If you like fast-paced softball and speed then come watch our girls play,” said Taylor.