When Kailey Snyder woke up Thursday morning, she thought SBCC’s softball home opener might be rained out. Once she found out the game was on, the sophomore pitcher didn’t fool around, throwing a five-hitter with seven strikeouts in a 2-1 win over Bakersfield.
“I didn’t get to prepare mentally like I normally do,“ said Snyder, who got a strikeout, pop-out and strikeout to end the game after giving up an RBI single in the seventh. “I was excited to get to play at home.
“We have a long way to go but when we get to that point, we‘re going to be solid.”
The Vaqueros (2-1) took a 2-0 lead in the fourth at newly renovated Pershing Park. Carly Smith drilled her second single to open the inning and Snyder doubled to right-center with one out. Third baseman Lisa Zeitlin drove a ball to the fence in left-center, scoring both runners.
After giving up an infield single to the second batter, Snyder retired 11 straight.
In the fifth, the Renegades got runners to second and third but Snyder promptly got three straight outs. She had four 1-2-3 innings and didn‘t walk a batter.
Snyder, a former St. Joseph High standout, has 25 strikeouts in 19 innings.
“Kailey looked really good today,” said coach Paula Congleton. “Bakersfield’s a great team and for her to get seven strikeouts is great. We‘re even prouder that she didn‘t have any walks.”
The Vaqueros are scheduled to host Pasadena on Saturday at noon, but there’s a 70 percent chance of rain.
Bakersfield …. 000 000 1 — 1 5 0
SBCC ………… 000 200 x — 2 8 0
Ward and Frankhouser; Snyder and Bolanos. W–Snyder 2-1. L–Ward.
2B–B: Estep. SB: Snyder.
