BAKERSFIELD, CA – The defending Western State Conference (WSC) South Bakersfield College baseball team will have 19 freshmen among its 32 rostered players when they open season at home next Friday (1/24). The Renegades will take on Feather River on Friday and close the opening weekend with games against Moorpark on Saturday (1/25) and Taft on Sunday (1/26). Leading the charge for his 25th season is Head Coach Tim Painton, who was awarded the 2019 Western State Conference South Coach of the Year.
"We are looking forward to finding out how good we can be" said Painton when asked what he was looking forward to this new season. "Each season brings an opportunity for growth both individually and collectively as a team, and if we can continue to grow in those two areas, generally your season is successful."
Dusting off their cleats are 11 returners including Alejandro Murillo, Benji Caggianelli, Gabe Ulloa, Matt Patton, Will Reynolds, Wes Bradford, Ryan Darbee, Hunter Adams, Landn Kauk, and Rhett Garrett who all significantly contributed to the `Gades 26-14 overall record and 15-5 conference record and as back-to-back Western State Conference North Champions. Coach Painton knows the sophomores will handle adversity better, understanding how a collegiate season unfolds, leadership and improve as players.
Among those sophomores is the strength of the team, starting pitcher Murillo, pitched a total of 80 innings in 14 games for the Renegades in 2019 with a record on the mound of 10-2. He finished the regular season with 68 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.46. The Stockdale High graduate earned the 2019 Western State Conference South Pitcher of the Year. Ulloa, Adams, and Patton were also amidst other returners who received conference awards.
Despite only returning 11 and bringing on 19 freshmen, Painton believes the blend of experience has been good. "For any team, the biggest competition is yourselves. We try to not get caught up in who we are playing and concentrate on things we can control, which is ourselves."
The 2020 Renegade Baseball team again hosts a roster full of local Kern County talent that is ready to play at the next level. They are excited to get the season underway and hope to see the community out there cheering them on. Last year's back-to-back conference championship team saw 12 players go on to sign with four-year schools.
The complete 2020 Renegade Baseball schedule can be found through this link or by clicking on the 'Schedule' tab on the Renegade baseball 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 Gerry Collis field on the campus of Bakersfield College. Home games will be streamed live on Facebook, search Bakersfield College Athletics.
Opening weekend is January 24-26th at Gerry Collis Field. BC will host three talented opponents. Feather River on Friday (1/24) at 6pm, Moorpark on Saturday (1/25) at 7pm and Taft on Sunday (1/26) at 2pm.