The Modesto Bee from Modesto, California • C6

C-6 FIRST 6 23:26 Cinderella baseball team has made the school hotter than Texas chili and, by the way, we see green for stamped on the baseball helmets? Yes, good to be a Bulldog these days if you bypass Fresno usual array of off-the-field administration issues and Hill is working this smoke-filled room. Unlike many coaches, he craves the preseason attention his team is generating this summer. Non-BCS schools like Fresno must begin with high expectations, in this case a top-25 preseason ranking, to reach their goal a BCS payday on New Day. Boise State and Hawaii, Fresno colleagues in the Western Athletic Conference, have drunk from the BCS trough. Meanwhile, Fresno State has beaten 12 BCS schools since 2000 (second to 13 among non-BCS programs) but still received a BCS bid.

Worse, teams for all their spectacular success yet annexed an outright WAC title. Which is why Hill is pounding the valley pavement. other sports, there are playoffs. In our sport, the playoffs start on Labor he said. afford any letdowns.

We gotta be 1-0 every time we go out there. got a three-hour shot. Remember, in July, 64 days before the 2008 opener at Rutgers. Hill is only warming up. talking about going undefeated, and how winning them all only works when your opponents are legit.

The last time major expectations were attached to the Bulldogs, they came thisclose to upsetting No. 1 USC (2005), then collapsed like wet cardboard. A four-win season followed in 2006 while Bulldogs critics rethought the merits of their coach. But to Hill, the crisis already had passed. know if this sport humbles you or it just puts you in the mind-set to he said, we won three of our last four in 2006, and now won 12 of our last The 2008 Bulldogs, featuring 16returning starters from a 9-4 team that won the Humanitarian Bowl, again will try to crash the BCS party.

Hill wants you to know about this. not about sneaking up on unsuspecting opponents. as subtle as a runaway brushfire. If you seek a local tie this season, you have six: Quarterback Tom Brandstater (Turlock), the MVP of the Humanitarian Bowl. Fullback Anthony Harding (Turlock), the most versatile of three-headed ball-carrying talent, along with Lonyae Miller and Ryan Mathews.

Will Harding (Turlock), brother, who will see playing time at corner and nickel. Mark Roberts (Modesto), in the rotation along the defensive line. Linebacker and special-teams regular Ryan Machado (Ripon), on schedule in his rehab from a season-ending knee injury last fall. Redshirt freshman Austin Raphael (Jamestown), who will enter the preseason as the back-up middle linebacker. The schedule is Hill-like, which is to say in-your-face-right-now.

After the ESPN-televised game at Rutgers, they come home for Wisconsin, then jet to Toledo and ride the bus to UCLA. Before their WAC opener at home vs. Hawaii on Oct. 4, either be a national conversation piece or a footnote. In world, perfect.

To comment, click on the link with this story at www.modbee.com. Bee sports columnist Ron Agostini can be reached at com or 578-2302. CONTINUED FROM C-1 CREAMER: Fourth to shoot a 60 in LPGA BEE NEWS SERVICES LUSS, Scotland Phil Mickel- son and Ernie Els failed to break par in the first round of the Scot- tish Open, and Alexander Noren and Thongchai Jaidee shared the lead with 7-under-par 64s on Thursday. Angel Cabrera, the 2007 U.S. Open champion, was third with a 65 in this tuneup before the British Open at Royal Birkdale, which begins July 17.

Mickelson and Els returned from three-week layoffs. Mickel- son had a 71, and Els was at 1-over 72. golf course was ideal for scoring, soft with lift, clean and place. I just get the ball in the Mickelson said. hit a lot of good shots, but I capitalize with my putts and let a good round slide a little bit.

I go out (today) and have a good round, I should be able to get right back in it for the week- Said Els, played some good stuff and some bad stuff. I had a bad shot on 4, made double, then a bogey on 5. Then I played well but lipped out for birdie on 15 to get to 2 PGA, at Silvis, Ill. Kenny Perry continued his best run in more than two decades on the PGA Tour, firing a 6-under 65 in the first round of the John Deere Classic that put him one stroke off the lead. Perry, 47, is right behind Ken Duke and Charlie Wi in a tie for third after winning two events last month.

Woody Austin was in a group at 5 under, with 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson five strokes behind the leaders. CZECH IT OUT The Czech Re- public will host a European Tour tournament next season for the first time in 12 years. The $3.9 million Czech Golf Open will take place from July 30-Aug. 2, 2009, at the Prosper Golf Resort in Celadna, about 225 miles east of Prague. Altamira Agency signed a five- year deal last week with the PGA European Tour, according to Miroslav Holub, the Czech golf federation secretary-general.

Bernhard Langer captured the last European Tour event on Czech soil at the Karlstejn Golf Club course near Prague in 1997, winning by four strokes over Ig- nacio Garrido and Niclas Fasth. SOUCHAK DIES Former PGA Tour professional and Duke Sports Hall of Fame mem- ber Mike Souchak has died. The school said Souchak, 81, died Thursday in Belleair, Fla. Souchak won 15 events on the PGA Tour from 1955-66 and had 11 top-10 finishes in major cham- pionships. He finished third at the U.S.

Open in 1959 and 1960 and played on the winning U.S. Ryder Cup teams in and GOLF THE BULLDOGS Six locals will play on the Fresno State football team this season. They are: Name Position Class Hometown High School Tom Brandstater Quarterback Senior Turlock Turlock Anthony Harding Fullback Sophomore Turlock Pitman Will Harding Cornerback Senior Turlock Turlock Ryan Machado Linebacker Junior Ripon Ripon Austin Raphael Linebacker Freshman Jamestown Sonora Mark Roberts Defensive Tackle Sophomore Modesto Modesto The Rampage went into the game 0-2 against the Rush. think they thought we were get- ting lucky and just beat the hell out of us in their house on national TV, but it go down like The win catapulted Grand Rap- ids, a team once left for dead af- ter starting the season 3-10, into American Confer- ence championship against Western Division champ San Jose right up the road at HP Pavilion. The SaberCats (12-5), the de- fending Arena Bowl champions, ride a seven-game winning streak into the game.

The Ram- page (8-10) has won five in a row, including four on the road. Kick- off is at 12:30 p.m. on ESPN. Steitz said. understand had a heckuva run and that San Jose is a good team with really good are- na players.

But starting to embrace playing on the road and being the underdog. There are still a lot of people who be- lieve in Grand Rapids, which is fine for While be behind enemy lines, wearing foreign colors, it will be as much a home game for Steitz as the SaberCats. Larry and Elaine only have to point to their phone bill. They es- timate 30 or so people called Sun- day to inquire about tickets for game. not expecting that many people, not as many that have been contacting us about Larry said.

are quite a few people who have rallied around him, people who have fol- lowed his career all the way Even those with no recollec- tion of glory years at Los Banos High have taken a keen interest. On Monday, the Los Banos foot- ball team some of whom yet in high school when Steitz began his pro career in 2005 spent most of their prac- tice chatting about their offen- sive line coach. Steitz joined Den- nis staff last season after being the last cut of the San Fran- cisco 49ers at training camp. Stubbs said Steitz will rejoin the staff once the AFL season is over. kids were pretty stoked, especially his offensive line- Los Banos assistant coach Dustin Caropreso said.

have to tell them about Nick. I think a lot of them al- ready knew. They knew he was playing for Grand Rapids. say been keeping better track of him than (the coaches) Steitz has been all over the foot- ball map since graduating from Los Banos as a sure-fire Divi- sion I prospect. He played four seasons at Ore- gon, where he was a three-year starter and two-time Pac-10 hon- orable mention.

pro career been as stable. bounced around NFL training camps since 2005, landing on the Washington Red- active roster in 2006 and playing one season in the now-de- funct NFL Europa with the Rhein Fire. Now it looks like finally found his niche in the AFL, an indoor league known for its high- scoring game and ultra-quick ac- tion. be honest with you, I know much about the Steitz said. coach in high school took me to a Saber- Cats game, and it was fun.

We had a good time. I ever see myself playing arena ball? Not really. But things were looking slow for me and AFL came calling, and it was a chance for me to play foot- ball with good players and have fun doing The fun, he hopes, continues Saturday. And beyond. CONTINUED FROM C-1 By JEROME PUGMIRE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SUPER-BESSE, France Kim Kirchen pulled on the yellow jer- sey at the Tour de France on Thursday, the first Luxembourg rider in 50 years to lead showcase race.

He finished fifth in the sixth stage, which was won by Riccardo Ricco. Kirchen was sev- enth in the Tour last year and is simply happy to have the jersey for now. been a bit surprised by my he said. I want to take the race day by day. Everything is The last Luxembourg rider to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour was Charly Gaul, who went on to win the 1958 race.

Ricco finished ahead of two top riders Alejandro Val- verde, who was heavily ban- daged after a fall Wednesday, and Cadel Evans. It was a bad day for the previous leader, Stefan Schuma- cher. The German touched back wheel yards from the line and crashed. He lost 28 seconds on Kirchen, the yellow jersey and a bit of skin from his elbow and knee. deliberate, of Schumacher said.

a pity. I was feeling strong. My team worked Kirchen said he see Schumacher before the crash. moved to the right he said. guy in front of me braked so I braked, Ricco captured a 122-mile stage through the peaks of the Massif Central from Aigurande to the ski resort of Super-Besse.

Ricco, the Giro runner-up, said he came to this Tour to gain expe- rience in hopes of a good finish next year. felt good already in the first he said. the fin- ish matched my strengths. I showed that I could manage a great sprint; I took off with 30 meters to go, and I held Kirchen is six seconds ahead of Evans and 16 ahead of Schuma- cher. Christian Vandevelde of the United States is fourth, 44 sec- onds behind Kirchen.

Valverde is eighth at 1:12. SPORTS note. Creamer, 21, began the final round of the U.S. Open two weeks ago a shot back of rook- ie Stacy Lewis. She left the course crestfallen after shooting a 5-over 78 that left her in a tie for sixth, six shots behind 19-year-old winner Inbee Park.

Last week at the NW Arkansas Championship, she was in contention heading into the final round of the 54-hole event but wilted with a 74. Apparently, Creamer is over those scoring woes. While she was going over her scorecard Thurs- day, she lost track of what club she used on one hole. many she cracked. Eun-Hee Ji and Gloria Park each shot a 65 and were largely overlooked in the wake of round.

Eva Dahllof and Young Kim had 66s. De- fending champion Pak, trying to become the first player to win the same LPGA tournament six times, shot a 68. Michelle Wie had a 70. Twenty-one players had yet to finish when play was suspended late in the day by lightning and heavy rain. complete their rounds today before the second round begins.

Annika Sorenstam set the LPGA Tour mark with a 59 in the second round of the 2001 Standard Register PING on a par-72 course. Creamer became the fourth LPGA Tour player to shoot 60 the others are Meg Mallon (2003 on the par-70 Dell Urich Golf Course in Tucson, Jung Yeon Lee (2004 Fry) and Anna Acker-Macosko (2004 Longs Drug Challenge, par-71 The Ridge Golf Course in Au- burn). David Duval (1999 Bob Hope), Chip Beck (1991 Las Vegas) and Al Geiberger (1977 Memphis) are the only players to shoot 59 on the PGA Tour. playing partners amazed at her low score. is so talented.

She could birdie every said Natalie Gulbis, who shot a 74. a birdie machine. I think a day that she goes out not thinking she can birdie every Creamer, who is No. 3 on the LPGA Tour money list, started on the back nine and was 4 under at the turn after birdies on 17 and 18. The rest of the way, she had all birdies except for two two-putt pars.

CONTINUED FROM C-1 HOLE-BY-HOLE: 60 Paula Creamer had 11 birdies and no bogeys Thursday for a course-record 60 over the par-71 Highland Meadows layout in the opening round of the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic. Creamer started her day on the back nine. Her birdies are in bold. Hole 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Total Par 4 4 4 4 3 4 4 5 5 4 3 4 4 4 3 5 3 4 71 Score 3 4 4 3 3 4 4 4 4 3 2 3 4 3 3 4 2 3 60 Mickelson, Els struggle in Scotland AGOSTINI: Hill has led Bulldogs to 12 wins over BCS foes STEITZ: Los Banos graduate has a home in Arena Football understand had a heckuva run and that San Jose is a good team with really good arena players. But starting to embrace playing on the road and being the Nick Steitz Yellow is Lux-urious at Tour TOUR AT A GLANCE STAGE 6: The riders entered the mountains for the first time on a 121.5-mile trek through the Massif Central from Aigurande to Super-Besse.

WINNER: Italian rider Riccardo Ricco, the Giro runner-up, beat Alejandro Valverde of Spain and Cadel Evans of Australia in a mountaintop finish. YELLOW JERSEY: Kim Kirchen of Luxembourg took the yellow jersey from Stefan Schumacher, who fell yards from the finish line. NEXT STAGE: stage is similar to 98.8 miles from Brioude to Aurillac. There are eight climbs, including two Category 2 ascents. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Modesto Bee www.modbee.com FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2008.