MODESTO -- Two more Billy Hamilton stolen bases weren't enough to help the Bakersfield Blaze extend its winning streak.

The Blaze fell 7-4 to the host Modesto Nuts, ending its winning streak at 11 games.

Get ready for the frenzy.

When the Amgen Tour of California last stopped here in 2010, massive crowds lined the bluffs to watch bicyclists zip past Bakersfield College as they ended a grueling 121-mile stage. Thousands cheered the finish in person and basked in the knowledge that Bakersfield played an integral part of the most prestigious bike race in the country.

Get ready for the frenzy.

When the Amgen Tour of California last stopped here in 2010, massive crowds lined the bluffs to watch bicyclists zip past Bakersfield College as they ended a grueling 121-mile stage. Thousands cheered the finish in person and basked in the knowledge that Bakersfield played an integral part of the most prestigious bike race in the country.

Derrick Brown, a 6-foot-6 senior forward at Bakersfield High School, has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at San Francisco State.

Brown, who will play guard for the Gators, averaged 17 points and five rebounds per game for the Drillers, who went 20-9. He was named to the All-Southwest Yosemite League first team.

Derrick Brown, a 6-foot-6 senior forward at Bakersfield High School, has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at San Francisco State.

Brown, who will play guard for the Gators, averaged 17 points and five rebounds per game for the Drillers, who went 20-9. He was named to the All-Southwest Yosemite League first team.

Nick Vehlewald knew Jake Sweaney was fast, but just maybe, he thought, this was too big of a challenge.

But even with a long pause at second base, Sweaney motored home from first base on Vehlewald's seventh-inning double and scored in a cloud of dust to lead Garces to a 3-2 home victory over North on Friday.

Nick Vehlewald knew Jake Sweaney was fast, but just maybe, he thought, this was too big of a challenge.

But even with a long pause at second base, Sweaney motored home from first base on Vehlewald's seventh-inning double and scored in a cloud of dust to lead Garces to a 3-2 home victory over North on Friday.

Baseball

Garces 3, North 2

Baseball

Garces 3, North 2

MODESTO -- Billy Hamilton went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three more stolen bases to lead the Bakersfield Blaze to their 11th straight victory Friday night, 7-0 over the Modesto Nuts at John Thurman Field.

The Blaze shorstop, who is hitting .395, has 26 steals in 31 tries this season for Bakersfield (14-7), which has a one game lead over the San Jose Giants in the California League North standings.

MODESTO -- Billy Hamilton went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three more stolen bases to lead the Bakersfield Blaze to their 11th straight victory Friday night, 7-0 over the Modesto Nuts at John Thurman Field.

The Blaze shorstop, who is hitting .395, has 26 steals in 31 tries this season for Bakersfield (14-7), which has a one game lead over the San Jose Giants in the California League North standings.

STOCKTON -- The Blaze won its 10th straight game Thursday, 8-1 over the Stockton Ports, as Billy Hamilton stole four bases to extend his lead over all minor leagues.

Tony Cingrani (2-1) allowed one hit and one walk and struck out eight in six innings of work for the Blaze (13-7), lowering his California League-best ERA to 0.39.

STOCKTON -- The Blaze won its 10th straight game Thursday, 8-1 over the Stockton Ports, as Billy Hamilton stole four bases to extend his lead over all minor leagues.

Tony Cingrani (2-1) allowed one hit and one walk and struck out eight in six innings of work for the Blaze (13-7), lowering his California League-best ERA to 0.39.

For most of Thursday's softball game, Frontier put runners on base, threatened Stockdale and generally looked dangerous. Stockdale, armed with the narrowest of leads, kept finding ways to escape.

When the dust had settled, the Mustangs had a 2-0 victory and were a step closer to an unlikely Southwest Yosemite League title.

For most of Thursday's softball game, Frontier put runners on base, threatened Stockdale and generally looked dangerous. Stockdale, armed with the narrowest of leads, kept finding ways to escape.

When the dust had settled, the Mustangs had a 2-0 victory and were a step closer to an unlikely Southwest Yosemite League title.

Baseball

Stockdale 3, Frontier 2

Baseball

Stockdale 3, Frontier 2

The high school football coaching carousel has ended for another year, and it does so with a familiar face.

Bakersfield Christian announced Thursday it has promoted Jerald Pierucci from offensive coordinator to head coach, giving the former East High coach another shot at a front-and-center position.

The high school football coaching carousel has ended for another year, and it does so with a familiar face.

Bakersfield Christian announced Thursday it has promoted Jerald Pierucci from offensive coordinator to head coach, giving the former East High coach another shot at a front-and-center position.

In baseball coach Tim Painton's eyes, his Bakersfield College Renegades did everything right to conclude the regular season.

"We beat Glendale at Glendale (a week earlier), which is not an easy task," Painton said. "We won on the road Tuesday and we won here today," Painton said after the Renegades romped past Los Angeles Pierce College 13-3 at Gerry Collis Field.