The Dakota Wizards (29-21), the No. 4 seed, drew the sixth-seeded Bakersfield Jam (28-22), to face in the first round of the 2012 NBA D-League Playoffs. The series will tip off at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Jam Event Center.

Game 2 and 3 (if necessary), will be played at Dakota on Sunday and Monday, respectively. The Jam is 1-2 against the Wizards this season, its two losses coming at the Bismarck Civic Center.

The Dakota Wizards (29-21), the No. 4 seed, drew the sixth-seeded Bakersfield Jam (28-22), to face in the first round of the 2012 NBA D-League Playoffs. The series will tip off at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Jam Event Center.

Game 2 and 3 (if necessary), will be played at Dakota on Sunday and Monday, respectively. The Jam is 1-2 against the Wizards this season, its two losses coming at the Bismarck Civic Center.

Coaching the Stockdale girls soccer team for the past two decades, Janien McGowan -- The Californian's All-Area Girls Soccer Coach of the Year -- has compiled a long list of accomplishments.

Thirteen league titles, including 12 in a row from 1999-2010, and seven Central Section championship-game appearances are two that stand out the most.

Coaching the Stockdale girls soccer team for the past two decades, Janien McGowan -- The Californian's All-Area Girls Soccer Coach of the Year -- has compiled a long list of accomplishments.

Thirteen league titles, including 12 in a row from 1999-2010, and seven Central Section championship-game appearances are two that stand out the most.

Stockdale's Brooke Dickens had in mind the perfect scenario for her senior season.

It included helping the Mustangs win the Southwest Yosemite League title, garner the top seed for the Division I playoffs, and last but not least, claim the program's first section championship.

Stockdale's Brooke Dickens had in mind the perfect scenario for her senior season.

It included helping the Mustangs win the Southwest Yosemite League title, garner the top seed for the Division I playoffs, and last but not least, claim the program's first section championship.

Blaze starter Tony Cingrani had no idea regarding the speed of his fastball Sunday. It didn't much matter since it wasn't velocity that keyed a spectacular outing by the 6-foot-4 southpaw.

Cingrani's success was tied more to his ability to move the ball around the plate with surgical-like precision.

Blaze starter Tony Cingrani had no idea regarding the speed of his fastball Sunday. It didn't much matter since it wasn't velocity that keyed a spectacular outing by the 6-foot-4 southpaw.

Cingrani's success was tied more to his ability to move the ball around the plate with surgical-like precision.

Taylor Aikenhead wears it as a badge of honor.

He's the Division I national leader in complete games, and he got another Saturday, a 97-pitch masterpiece to give Cal State Bakersfield a 3-1 win over Santa Clara to complete a doubleheader sweep and also complete a series sweep.

Taylor Aikenhead wears it as a badge of honor.

He's the Division I national leader in complete games, and he got another Saturday, a 97-pitch masterpiece to give Cal State Bakersfield a 3-1 win over Santa Clara to complete a doubleheader sweep and also complete a series sweep.

Cal State Bakersfield was swept in a Pacific Coast Softball Conference doubleheader Saturday, losing 9-4 and 5-0 to Loyola Marymount.

Amy Ricciardi hit a solo home run in the opener for CSUB, which swept LMU (26-15) in Friday's twinbill. It was Ricciardi's third homer of the series.

Cal State Bakersfield was swept in a Pacific Coast Softball Conference doubleheader Saturday, losing 9-4 and 5-0 to Loyola Marymount.

Amy Ricciardi hit a solo home run in the opener for CSUB, which swept LMU (26-15) in Friday's twinbill. It was Ricciardi's third homer of the series.

Over the past few days I'm sure all of you have had a chance to see your favorite baseball team play (cough, Red Sox, cough). It is an exciting time for everyone and there seems to be a special buzz in the air with the new season approaching. The new baseball season is the signature marking that spring is here, the warmer weather is coming and joyous memories are in the near future.

Baseball is called "America's Pastime" for a reason and is full of many historic moments. The new season is also the return and/or additions to teams throughout the league

Over the past few days I'm sure all of you have had a chance to see your favorite baseball team play (cough, Red Sox, cough). It is an exciting time for everyone and there seems to be a special buzz in the air with the new season approaching. The new baseball season is the signature marking that spring is here, the warmer weather is coming and joyous memories are in the near future.

Baseball is called "America's Pastime" for a reason and is full of many historic moments. The new season is also the return and/or additions to teams throughout the league

The Bakersfield Blaze faced an uphill battle against Visalia starting pitcher Andrew Chafin on Friday night.

One that became impossible for the Blaze to win after a plethora of early self-inflicted wounds.

The Bakersfield Blaze faced an uphill battle against Visalia starting pitcher Andrew Chafin on Friday night.

One that became impossible for the Blaze to win after a plethora of early self-inflicted wounds.

Pitcher Jeff McKenzie found himself in unfamiliar territory, as the junior left-hander needed just three more outs to record his first complete game as a Roadrunner pitcher.

Then the final inning ended just like the first began, with McKenzie retiring three batters in a row on his way to completing a three-hit shutout as CSU Bakersfield opened a three-game series with a 4-0 victory Friday over Santa Clara at Hardt Field.

Pitcher Jeff McKenzie found himself in unfamiliar territory, as the junior left-hander needed just three more outs to record his first complete game as a Roadrunner pitcher.

Then the final inning ended just like the first began, with McKenzie retiring three batters in a row on his way to completing a three-hit shutout as CSU Bakersfield opened a three-game series with a 4-0 victory Friday over Santa Clara at Hardt Field.

John Austin and Doug Denesha will carry the local torch into the finals of the SCGA Amateur Net Championship next Monday and Tuesday at Industry Hills Golf Course.

Austin and Denesha, both from The Links at RiverLakes Ranch, qualified at Griffith Park GC in Los Angeles in late March to make it to the championship proper. Austin will compete in the Bobby Jones flight (0-5 indexes) while Denesha will compete in the Arnold Palmer flight (6-10 indexes).

John Austin and Doug Denesha will carry the local torch into the finals of the SCGA Amateur Net Championship next Monday and Tuesday at Industry Hills Golf Course.

Austin and Denesha, both from The Links at RiverLakes Ranch, qualified at Griffith Park GC in Los Angeles in late March to make it to the championship proper. Austin will compete in the Bobby Jones flight (0-5 indexes) while Denesha will compete in the Arnold Palmer flight (6-10 indexes).