Bakersfield Speedway's slick racing surface was difficult for some drivers to maneuver around Saturday night.

Lee Jensen wasn't one of them.

Bakersfield Speedway's slick racing surface was difficult for some drivers to maneuver around Saturday night.

Lee Jensen wasn't one of them.

Three local softball teams won't have to leave home for the Central Section playoffs.

The section commissioners announced Saturday in Porterville that Garces (Division II), defending champion Ridgeview (D-III) and Taft (D-IV) earned top seeds in their playoff divisions. All three have byes through Wednesday's first round and won't play until Friday's quarterfinals.

Three local softball teams won't have to leave home for the Central Section playoffs.

The section commissioners announced Saturday in Porterville that Garces (Division II), defending champion Ridgeview (D-III) and Taft (D-IV) earned top seeds in their playoff divisions. All three have byes through Wednesday's first round and won't play until Friday's quarterfinals.

Currently we are on a four-day (five games) road trip in Augusta, Ga. I have really enjoyed exploring Greenville, S.C., the past week, but I also really looked forward to getting back on the road and seeing what this area of the United States has to offer.

Exploring cities, especially in the East, that have so much history is a lot of fun. The East Coast is filled with years and years of history. The French-Indian War, Revolutionary War, War of 1812, The American Civil War and many battles against Native American tribes have all been fought on the land that we are driving across each day.

Currently we are on a four-day (five games) road trip in Augusta, Ga. I have really enjoyed exploring Greenville, S.C., the past week, but I also really looked forward to getting back on the road and seeing what this area of the United States has to offer.

Exploring cities, especially in the East, that have so much history is a lot of fun. The East Coast is filled with years and years of history. The French-Indian War, Revolutionary War, War of 1812, The American Civil War and many battles against Native American tribes have all been fought on the land that we are driving across each day.

EUGENE, Ore. -- Shafter High graduate Ana Jelmini won the women's shot put Saturday at the Pac-12 Track Championships.

Jelmini, a sophomore at Arizona State, had a mark of 56 feet, 43⁄4 inches, which came on her fifth of six throws.

EUGENE, Ore. -- Shafter High graduate Ana Jelmini won the women's shot put Saturday at the Pac-12 Track Championships.

Jelmini, a sophomore at Arizona State, had a mark of 56 feet, 43⁄4 inches, which came on her fifth of six throws.

For some, such as defending champion Chris Horner, winning the Amgen Tour of California is the main objective.

For others, the focus in on a stage win, helping a teammate garner a stage win or maybe coming away with the King of the Mountain (best climber) jersey.

For some, such as defending champion Chris Horner, winning the Amgen Tour of California is the main objective.

For others, the focus in on a stage win, helping a teammate garner a stage win or maybe coming away with the King of the Mountain (best climber) jersey.

It competes for attention with the world's second most prestigious bicycle race, but sporting news media around the world wouldn't dare miss the Amgen Tour of California.

And they definitely won't want to skip Stage Five, coming to Bakersfield Thursday.

Maybe it's a good thing so many of Bakersfield's most influential people take cycling seriously. Why else would they spend so much time and energy (and money) helping organize a bike race for the greater good?

From the fundraising end to race logistics to negotiating with various government officials, well-known locals have contributed greatly to making sure that Stage Five of the Amgen Tour of California goes off without a hitch Thursday in Bakersfield.

It competes for attention with the world's second most prestigious bicycle race, but sporting news media around the world wouldn't dare miss the Amgen Tour of California.

And they definitely won't want to skip Stage Five, coming to Bakersfield Thursday.

Maybe it's a good thing so many of Bakersfield's most influential people take cycling seriously. Why else would they spend so much time and energy (and money) helping organize a bike race for the greater good?

From the fundraising end to race logistics to negotiating with various government officials, well-known locals have contributed greatly to making sure that Stage Five of the Amgen Tour of California goes off without a hitch Thursday in Bakersfield.

Three-time Amgen Tour of California champion Levi Leipheimer will compete in the 2012 edition of the race when it kicks off today in his adopted hometown of Santa Rosa, but the cyclist said he will not be battling for another win.

Leipheimer suffered a broken fibula when he was hit by a car during a training ride in Northern Spain on April 1.

Three-time Amgen Tour of California champion Levi Leipheimer will compete in the 2012 edition of the race when it kicks off today in his adopted hometown of Santa Rosa, but the cyclist said he will not be battling for another win.

Leipheimer suffered a broken fibula when he was hit by a car during a training ride in Northern Spain on April 1.

HUMBLE, Texas -- David Charleston and Brandon Washington each had fourth-place finishes Friday for Cal State Bakersfield's men at the Great West Conference Track and Field Championships at Houston Baptist University.

Charleston was fourth in the high jump with a mark of 6 feet, 23⁄4 inches. Washington was fourth in the long jump at 21-91⁄2. Charleston was ninth in the long jump (20-31⁄2).

HUMBLE, Texas -- David Charleston and Brandon Washington each had fourth-place finishes Friday for Cal State Bakersfield's men at the Great West Conference Track and Field Championships at Houston Baptist University.

Charleston was fourth in the high jump with a mark of 6 feet, 23⁄4 inches. Washington was fourth in the long jump at 21-91⁄2. Charleston was ninth in the long jump (20-31⁄2).

Baseball

Mira Monte 12, Golden Valley 2

Baseball

Mira Monte 12, Golden Valley 2