SBCC ended its nine-game, three-week softball road trip on a down note on Tuesday as Bakersfield held the Vaqueros to two runs on 10 hits in a doubleheader sweep. The scores were 6-1 and 3-1.
Sophomore third baseman Monica Salas hit her team-leading fourth homer leading off the third inning of the opener. The Renegades (12-10, 8-3 WSC North) responded with four runs in the bottom of the third and two more in the fourth.
McKenna Valencia tossed a three-hitter in the opener, striking out nine and walking 10. Alyssa Gonzales went 3-4 with a two-run homer in the fourth and three RBIs for the Renegades.
Sydney Townes walked four times for the Vaqueros (10-10, 5-6), who left 14 runners on base and seven in scoring position.
Maggie Jackson was 2-3 in Game 2 and Townes was 2-4 Calista Wendell turned in five strong innings of relief, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits.
The Vaqueros have played 17 of their first 20 on the road. They started out 9-2, then went 1-8 on this nine-game road trip.
"The month of March has been a little shaky for us," said assistant coach Justine Bosio. "We've been on the road for three straight weeks while battling some injuries. We're looking forward to some home games this week and our Bash at the Beach this weekend."
The Vaqueros will host Santa Monica in a WSC North game on Thursday at 2:30 p.m., then host the eight-team Bash at the Beach on Saturday and Sunday. They'll play four Orange Empire Conference teams – Golden West (noon) and Orange Coast (4 p.m.) on Saturday and Saddleback (11 a.m.) and Fullerton (3 p.m.) on Sunday.
