VALENCIA'S QUEST: TO BE THE BEST NO. 1 VIKINGS OPEN DIV. I PLAYOFFS AGAINST NEWBURY PARK.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON Staff Writer

VALENCIA -- Sparked by one of the most dominant softball pitchers in Santa Clarita Valley history, Jordan Taylor, Valencia High is the top seed in the Southern Section Div. I playoffs.

The Vikings' quest for a title begins today at 3:15 p.m. against visiting Newbury Park (12-12).

Taylor (26-4, 0.10 ERA, 395 strikeouts) can shut opponents down, but after the Vikings' season ended last year with a 2-0 loss to Royal of Simi Valley in the championship game, the onus this year is on the offense.

Valencia's foes likely won't score more than a run or two, but if the Vikings hitters don't come through, the season could end sooner than desired.

First baseman Roni La Val isn't concerned. She has faith Valencia's lineup, which has produced 19 home runs and averages nearly five runs per game.

``We have some great hitters who have a lot of power,'' La Val said. ``A good pitcher makes a team, but you always need hitters to back her up. You can't win if you don't score.''

Among the Vikings' top hitters is Jessica Spigner, a sophomore third baseman who has hit a school single-season record six home runs. She's batting .350 with 25 RBIs. Nicole Matson is batting .427 with five home runs and 18 RBIs, Torrie Anderson is hitting .375 with five home runs and 21 RBIs, and La Val is batting .286 with two home runs and 16 RBIs.

Valencia has won six successive Foothill League titles but never a section championship. Veteran coach Donna Lee has announced she'll retire, so the drama is in place as Valencia gears for the postseason.

``We're pumped, we're excited, we can't wait,'' La Val said. ``It's exciting now that we're in the playoffs, but we're a little nervous, too, because one loss and you're out. We're confident, and we have a good team, but I wouldn't say we're overconfident. We won't take any team lightly because that can hurt you.''

Newbury Park doesn't have a flashy record, but seven losses have been by one run, and Tiffany Curtis (7-5, 0.83 ERA) and Lindsey Cunningham (5-7, 1.72) have a combined 1.25 ERA and 255 strikeouts in 173 innings.

The Panthers average just 2.2 runs per game and are hitting just .185 as a team, with no player batting better than .266.

In today's other Div. I first-round action:

Hart (16-11) vs. Royal of Simi Valley (21-4) at Rancho Simi Park: Streaky Hart followed a four-game skid by winning its last three games of the regular season, and if freshman left-hander Destiny Rodino (10-7, 0.38 ERA) is on her game, the Indians could challenge the defending Div. I champion.

Fellow freshman Jessica Shults (.372, one home run, 17 RBIs) and Heather Zimmerman (.308, one home run, five RBIs) are the top hitters for a young Hart team that has three seniors, five juniors, four sophomores and three freshmen.

Third-seeded Royal spent much of the season ranked No. 1 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports. The Highlanders have won seven of eight and feature two of the division's top pitchers, returning starters Rebecca Heteniak (13-2, 0.33 ERA) and Jessi Waers (8-2, 0.80 ERA). Kacee Cox (.415, three home runs, 16 RBIs) is among three starters batting .400 or better.

Garden Grove (13-16) vs. Saugus (19-9) at Central Park: Ace pitcher and leading hitter Sarah Hooper keys the Centurions. The senior right-hander is 17-4 with a 1.12 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 137 innings, and she is batting .372 with one home run, four triples and 16 RBIs.

Inconsistent Saugus is capable of defeating any team, evidenced by a 2-0 victory April 27 over Valencia. That triumph sparked a five-game winning streak heading into the playoffs.

Four-year starter Tiffany Huff (.348, two home runs) is in a 2-for-13 slump. Her batting average has fallen 45 points in the past six games, and she's had no RBIs and struck out six times.

Garden Grove has been shut out nine times and has committed 48 errors. Jena Handley is batting .298 with four home runs and 23 RBIs. Kaitlyn Means is 6-7 with a 1.60 ERA, and Caitlin Bradac is 5-8 with a 1.97 ERA.

gerry.gittelson(at)dailynews.com

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