The Bakersfield Blaze finally ended its one-run-game woes. And it couldn't have happened in more dramatic fashion.

David Vidal, a late-game replacement, drew a bases-loaded walk off reliever Jose Valdez in the bottom of the ninth to lift the Blaze to a 8-7 victory over the San Jose Giants Thursday night at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

The Bakersfield Blaze finally ended its one-run-game woes. And it couldn't have happened in more dramatic fashion.

David Vidal, a late-game replacement, drew a bases-loaded walk off reliever Jose Valdez in the bottom of the ninth to lift the Blaze to a 8-7 victory over the San Jose Giants Thursday night at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

Kern County, southern San Joaquin Valley

LAKE ISABELLA: The crappie bite broke wide open last week. One group of anglers reported catching 25-fish limits in an hour in Kissack Cove on small, live minnows. The bite remained simply exceptional until the storm hit on Friday and that pushed the fish back out. The bite should be snapping back on this week. These fish all mostly 1- to 2-ound crappie. Very good bite on channel cats on frozen shad, and lots of trout are showing off the points and at the auxiliary dam. Quite a few bass being caught and the bluegill bite is also just starting.

Kern County, southern San Joaquin Valley

LAKE ISABELLA: The crappie bite broke wide open last week. One group of anglers reported catching 25-fish limits in an hour in Kissack Cove on small, live minnows. The bite remained simply exceptional until the storm hit on Friday and that pushed the fish back out. The bite should be snapping back on this week. These fish all mostly 1- to 2-ound crappie. Very good bite on channel cats on frozen shad, and lots of trout are showing off the points and at the auxiliary dam. Quite a few bass being caught and the bluegill bite is also just starting.

GLENDALE -- Julie Estep pitched a five-hitter and helped herself with a first-inning grand slam to lead the Bakersfield College softball team to a 9-4 victory Thursday over Citrus College in a Western State Conference Blue Division contest.

Estep (11-5) struck out four and walked three. She had two hits and five RBIs. Jazmine Irvine went 3-for-4 and Brittany Messer and Sarah Smith added two hits apiece for BC (26-7, 10-6 WSC).

GLENDALE -- Julie Estep pitched a five-hitter and helped herself with a first-inning grand slam to lead the Bakersfield College softball team to a 9-4 victory Thursday over Citrus College in a Western State Conference Blue Division contest.

Estep (11-5) struck out four and walked three. She had two hits and five RBIs. Jazmine Irvine went 3-for-4 and Brittany Messer and Sarah Smith added two hits apiece for BC (26-7, 10-6 WSC).

Baseball

Liberty 11, Stockdale 4

Baseball

Liberty 11, Stockdale 4

The 11th Arena Bowl, set for 7 p.m. Friday, has a new twist.

This year's version of Kern County's indoor high school football all-star game will involve more local seniors, because organizers will restrict players to either offense or defense.

The 11th Arena Bowl, set for 7 p.m. Friday, has a new twist.

This year's version of Kern County's indoor high school football all-star game will involve more local seniors, because organizers will restrict players to either offense or defense.

Baseball

Garces 10, Highland 4

Baseball

Garces 10, Highland 4

The heat will be on at Bakersfield Speedway, and throughout Kern County, on Saturday, which comes as a warm relief to race fans, drivers and yes, track owners.

Soaking rains last Friday forced Bakersfield Speedway owner Scott Schweitzer to cancel last Saturday night's planned races -- the third time weather has derailed action over the past five weeks.

The heat will be on at Bakersfield Speedway, and throughout Kern County, on Saturday, which comes as a warm relief to race fans, drivers and yes, track owners.

Soaking rains last Friday forced Bakersfield Speedway owner Scott Schweitzer to cancel last Saturday night's planned races -- the third time weather has derailed action over the past five weeks.

Nick Mears got off to a hot start in the SCGA's 28th Mid-Amateur Championship at the Rancho Sante Fe golf course this week.

Mears, a member at Bakersfield Country Club, shot a 1-over 73 in the opening round Monday and found himself in 8th place in a stellar field.

Nick Mears got off to a hot start in the SCGA's 28th Mid-Amateur Championship at the Rancho Sante Fe golf course this week.

Mears, a member at Bakersfield Country Club, shot a 1-over 73 in the opening round Monday and found himself in 8th place in a stellar field.

Jazmine Irvin went 6-for-8 with eight RBIs as Bakersfield College swept a Western State Conference softball doubleheader, 10-1 and 8-0, Tuesday over Santa Monica College at BC.

Kara Frankhouser went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs scored in game 1.

Jazmine Irvin went 6-for-8 with eight RBIs as Bakersfield College swept a Western State Conference softball doubleheader, 10-1 and 8-0, Tuesday over Santa Monica College at BC.

Kara Frankhouser went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs scored in game 1.

The defense was no friend of Cal State Bakersfield pitcher Spenser Messmore on Tuesday night.

The Roadrunners had four errors, which led to five unearned runs. Coupled with woeful hitting with runners in scoring position meant an easy win for USC, 11-2, at Hardt Field.

The defense was no friend of Cal State Bakersfield pitcher Spenser Messmore on Tuesday night.

The Roadrunners had four errors, which led to five unearned runs. Coupled with woeful hitting with runners in scoring position meant an easy win for USC, 11-2, at Hardt Field.