SOFTBALL NOTEBOOK: THE SHOT HEARD 'ROUND VALENCIA SPIGNER'S HOMER HELPS OUT VIKINGS.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON Staff Writer

Over the years, few home runs have been more dramatic than Jessica Spigner's over-the-fence shot into a stiff wind in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift first-place Valencia to a crucial 1-0 victory over visiting Hart on Tuesday.

The homer was Spigner's sixth of the season, tying a school record held by Ashley Herrera, who's now at UCLA.

``It felt great. I was just hoping to start a rally for my team and it happened to be a home run,'' Spigner said. ``When the wind is blowing in, you really have to hit one perfect to hit a home run. Otherwise, it's a pop up, so I was just trying to hit the ball very hard.''

Spigner worked her way from an 0-2 count, fouling off five pitches before the home run.

``That was an awesome homer,'' coach Donna Lee said. ``If she didn't hit it out, who knows how long that game might have lasted?''

Valencia (22-4, 5-1) has four games remaining, a pair of two-game series against Canyon and Burbank, which have combined for just three league victories.

If defending finalist Valencia returns to the Southern Section Div. I final, the Vikings play a total of nine more games, so perhaps Spigner, a sophomore who's batting .371 with 24 RBIs and a .721 slugging percentage, has a good chance to break Herrera's record.

``I didn't know about Ashley's home run record, but that's awesome,'' Spigner said. ``I'm not trying to break it. If it happens, it happens. If not, oh well, there's always next year.'' Spigner, who plays third base, also is Valencia's No. 2 pitcher - not exactly a busy job considering ace Jordan Taylor has pitched all but one game - and it now appears Taylor will pitch every inning from here on in.

At the beginning of the year, it was assumed Spigner might get another start during the final few games of the season, but now that Valencia lost to Saugus last week, there's less wiggle room.

``Jordan's going to keep pitching because I really want to win this thing,'' Lee said. Lee, who has announced her pending retirement, said the plan is for Taylor to pitch every inning even if Valencia jumps to a big lead. Using two pitchers in one game ``isn't my style,'' she said.

Add Valencia: Outfielder Kristen Aidem is questionable after injuring her knee against Hart. She's also recovering from an ear injury when she got plunked in the batting cage, along with concussion that happened when she was accidently kicked in the head by second baseman Nicole Matson during a collision while chasing a popup. ``It's been a rough month,'' Aidem said.

Playoff picture: Saugus (15-9, 5-2) and Hart (13-9, 4-3) are all but assured playoff spots by finishing in the top three - or better than .500 - as is fourth-place Burroughs (12-7, 3-4). Canyon (8-9, 2-4) is just one-game below .500 but is a longshot because the Cowboys have five difficult games ahead - a two-game series against Valencia, followed by matchups against Hart, annual power Oaks Christian of Westlake Village and Saugus.

gerry.gittelson(at)dailynews.com

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