The Bakersfield College baseball team had lost three of their first four games but Head Coach Tim Painton wasn’t not worried.
“The 1-3 record I’m not concerned with, I think it’s a starting point it gives us an opportunity to grow,” Coach Painton said.
Painton proved correct when the Renegades won three games this past weekend and improved to 4-3.
This year’s team has three returning pitchers who were drafted into pro baseball but decided not to sign. Nathan Albert (drafted by the New York Yankees), TJ Kelly (drafted by the Florida Marlins), and Justin Miller (drafted by the Colorado Rockies) all decided to return for their sophomore seasons.
Freshmen pitcher Kyle Witten, who was drafted out of Liberty High School, by the Atlanta Braves also decided not to sign.
Painton noted that the team had outstanding pitching performances in the season opening tournament by Albert, Witten, and Jayson Swen.
“I felt there were a number of players that played well in spots throughout the weekend, but we didn’t see the consistency out of our offense or defense that we needed to,” said Painton.
The Renegades started the tournament with a 4-3 loss to Golden West, which was followed by a 7-3 loss to Irvine Valley.
The Renegades lone win in the tournament was a 4-3 victory over the defending state champions, Long Beach City College. The Renegades lost 5-4 to Golden West in extra innings.
Painton added that the seasons opening tournament was a good experience for the 18 freshmen.
“It was an opportunity for them to see the highest level of community college baseball, they were able to compete against some very good clubs,” said Painton.
The ultimate goal at the end of the season is for the baseball team to make it to the postseason, but coach Painton hinted at another goal.
“The only real goal that I like to talk to our players about is simply being better each weekend,” he said.
Coach Painton sees pitching as one of the strong points of his team this year.
“Based on experience and what we have returning, pitching is going to be one of our strengths,” he said. “It has to be. If you don’t pitch well you don’t play well.”
The Renegades had three more games this past weekend: a 15-7 victory against Gavilan, a 9-3 win against Mission, and a 4-3 win over Golden West.
The Renegades will host Moorpark at 8 p.m. Friday.