STOCKTON -- All the Blaze needs is one.

One win of its own or one San Jose Giants loss, that is, for Bakersfield to clinch its first opening-half title since 1991.

STOCKTON -- All the Blaze needs is one.

One win of its own or one San Jose Giants loss, that is, for Bakersfield to clinch its first opening-half title since 1991.

Bakersfield High has completed its 2012 football schedule with a Week 0 game at Ventura High.

The defending Central Section champions, who started six sophomores full season on a team that went 13-0 in 2011, will play at Ventura on Aug. 24 to open the season. The Cougars were 11-0 last year before losing to Santa Monica in the second round of the Southern Section Division IV playoffs.

Bakersfield High has completed its 2012 football schedule with a Week 0 game at Ventura High.

The defending Central Section champions, who started six sophomores full season on a team that went 13-0 in 2011, will play at Ventura on Aug. 24 to open the season. The Cougars were 11-0 last year before losing to Santa Monica in the second round of the Southern Section Division IV playoffs.

MODESTO -- When you have 72 steals, some are obviously more important than others.

Blaze shortstop Billy Hamilton made the most of No. 72 on Monday night at John Thurman Field, stealing second base in the top of the ninth inning to set up the go-ahead run in a 6-3 Bakersfield victory over the Modesto Nuts.

MODESTO -- When you have 72 steals, some are obviously more important than others.

Blaze shortstop Billy Hamilton made the most of No. 72 on Monday night at John Thurman Field, stealing second base in the top of the ninth inning to set up the go-ahead run in a 6-3 Bakersfield victory over the Modesto Nuts.

Announcements

Camps

Announcements

Camps

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Kings' 45-year Stanley Cup quest ended in a triumphant flourish of blood, sweat and power-play goals. After missing two chances to claim the title last week, the long-suffering Kings are NHL champions for the first time.

Hooray for Hockeywood.

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Kings' 45-year Stanley Cup quest ended in a triumphant flourish of blood, sweat and power-play goals. After missing two chances to claim the title last week, the long-suffering Kings are NHL champions for the first time.

Hooray for Hockeywood.

It might have been easy for Mariah Alvidrez to give up her college athletics dream and say it wasn't in the cards.

Just over a year ago while playing soccer for Fresno Pacific, she suffered her third torn anterior cruciate ligament, a devastating knee injury that requires reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation and typically sidelines an athlete from six months to a year.

It might have been easy for Mariah Alvidrez to give up her college athletics dream and say it wasn't in the cards.

Just over a year ago while playing soccer for Fresno Pacific, she suffered her third torn anterior cruciate ligament, a devastating knee injury that requires reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation and typically sidelines an athlete from six months to a year.

In a racing division in which no driver has been able to dominate at Bakersfield Speedway this year, it was only apt that one nicknamed "The Dominator" would become its first repeat winner.

And that's exactly what happened Saturday night.

In a racing division in which no driver has been able to dominate at Bakersfield Speedway this year, it was only apt that one nicknamed "The Dominator" would become its first repeat winner.

And that's exactly what happened Saturday night.

MODESTO -- Bakersfield smacked seven doubles Sunday afternoon as the Blaze topped the Modesto Nuts 9-4 at John Thurman Field.

Bryson Smith and Dominic D'Anna each hit two doubles and Danny Vicioso, Billy Hamilton and Devin Lohman had one each as Bakersfield closed in on the first-half crown.

MODESTO -- Bakersfield smacked seven doubles Sunday afternoon as the Blaze topped the Modesto Nuts 9-4 at John Thurman Field.

Bryson Smith and Dominic D'Anna each hit two doubles and Danny Vicioso, Billy Hamilton and Devin Lohman had one each as Bakersfield closed in on the first-half crown.

MODESTO -- Dustin Garneau hit the game-winning single as the Modesto Nuts defeated the Bakersfield Blaze 2-1 in the 10th inning on Saturday night at John Thurmand Field.

Kyle Parker singled to open the 10th inning and moved to second base on a Jared Clark walk. Mark Tracy then grounded out to catcher Tucker Barnhart, who threw Parker out at third as Clark moved to second. After Jayson Langfels flied out to center field, Garneau collected the game-winning hit.

MODESTO -- Dustin Garneau hit the game-winning single as the Modesto Nuts defeated the Bakersfield Blaze 2-1 in the 10th inning on Saturday night at John Thurmand Field.

Kyle Parker singled to open the 10th inning and moved to second base on a Jared Clark walk. Mark Tracy then grounded out to catcher Tucker Barnhart, who threw Parker out at third as Clark moved to second. After Jayson Langfels flied out to center field, Garneau collected the game-winning hit.

Lee Jensen's biggest challenge wasn't finding enough speed to win the Super Street feature Saturday night at Bakersfield Speedway.

It was trying to hold off the cars chasing him as he spent much of the 25-lap race weaving through and around lapped traffic.

Lee Jensen's biggest challenge wasn't finding enough speed to win the Super Street feature Saturday night at Bakersfield Speedway.

It was trying to hold off the cars chasing him as he spent much of the 25-lap race weaving through and around lapped traffic.