Lady Lions roll on senior night, reach historic win total
Photo by Karla Smith The Bakersfield Lady Lions celebrated Senior Night with a 9-0 shutout win over Pleasant Hope Friday May 1. Seniors Miley Edens, Paige Crites and Keely Stevens, along with their parents were honored at the game. The seniors are pictured with their coach, Cainen McGinnis.
The Bakersfield Lady Lions celebrated senior night in dominant fashion Friday, May 1, shutting out Pleasant Hope 9-0 and securing their 14th win of the season — the program’s highest total in 15 years.
Senior Miley Edens delivered a commanding performance in the circle, tossing a complete-game one-hitter while allowing no walks across seven innings. Edens controlled the game from the start, consistently pounding the strike zone and keeping Pleasant Hope off balance.
“Miley has done a great job all season as she has only walked 8 of the 257 batters she has seen all year,” said head coach Cainen McGinnis. “Having somebody like her that can throw strikes consistently is a huge deal in softball, and her teammates do a fantastic job backing her up every game. It’s definitely a collective effort from everybody.”
Offensively, the Lady Lions were led by freshman Lexi Clarkson, who went 3-for-4 at the plate, drove in a run, and used her speed to wreak havoc on the bases, scoring three times.
“Anytime we get her on base, we feel very good,” McGinnis said.
Clarkson was supported by a balanced attack, with Aubrey Luna, Eden Cotter, Sheyenne Foster, Paige Crites, and Edens each contributing a hit as Bakersfield steadily built its lead.
The night also carried special meaning as seniors Miley Edens, Paige Crites, and Keely Stevens were honored prior to the game in the team’s final home appearance of the season.
“We’re grateful for our seniors and thankful we were able to honor them in our last home game,” McGinnis said. “With Friday night’s senior night win, it also marks the most wins in a season in 15 years, thanks to these three. They are so deserving of every ounce of credit and praise for all that they have accomplished these last four years, especially this season.”
McGinnis emphasized the lasting impact of the senior class on the program.
“They have set the bar so high with their attitudes, effort, commitment, sacrifice, and all-around leadership,” he said. “You truly could not think of three more outstanding young women to lead a softball program.”
With momentum on their side and a historic regular season already secured, the Lady Lions now turn their attention to district play next week.
“We will take advantage of every moment with them as we head into district play,” McGinnis said.