VALENCIA ALUMS KEEP UP.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON

Valencia High hosted its first alumni softball game Saturday, and it turned out to be especially interesting since former Daily News Player of the Year Lauren Watson (now at Brigham Young) happened to be back in town.

Watson, who was named to the West All-Region team after batting .379 with 10 home runs and 32 RBI in 52 games as sophomore for the Cougars this past season, helped the alumni to a 2-2 tie against the varsity.

That the varsity didn't win - by a large margin, for that matter - was surprising considering five varsity starters have committed to four-year colleges, and the team is 27-3 and still alive in the Southern Section Div. I playoffs. But the mood wasn't particularly competitive, as the girls played different positions than usual and generally had a great time.

``It was fun. It was really good to see everyone,'' said Watson, who the day before watched her former team defeat Westlake 1-0 in the first round of the playoffs. ``It was a good experience because we all got a chance to hang out with the younger girls again. I think the line of the day was, `Do you remember when?' ''

Former pitcher Michelle Smith and infielder Nicole Giampolo also participated for the alumni.

Afterward, both teams, along with various parents and supporters, shared a barbecue lunch.

--Youth baseball and softball all-star tournaments begin next month, and one youngster to watch out for is Hart PONY baseball right-hander Spenser Smith. At 13, he already is 6-foot-2, and he throws harder than a lot of Foothill League starters.

``He's one of the better 13-year-olds I've ever seen,'' said his private coach, Jim Wagner, a former pitcher at Cal State Northridge and Arizona who is among the region's most trusted and respected tutors. ``I think Spenser is going to Saugus High next year, and he's going to be great. He's quite a pitcher.

``The only 13-year-old who compares to him is that kid Robert Stock from Agoura. And Stock's the top 13-year-old in the country.''

--There's plenty of high school playoff action today, as five local teams are alive. In Southern Section Div. II baseball second-round games, Hart (15-12) hosts Santiago of Corona (21-6), and Valencia (21-6) hosts El Dorado of Placentia (21-6). In Div. I softball second-round games, Valencia (27-3) plays at Lakewood (19-7), and Hart (21-7) is at Camarillo (22-6).

In the Div. 1 boys' volleyball semifinals, Valencia plays Santa Ynez at Dos Pueblos High in Goleta.

--The Master's College men's golf team finished third at the NAIA championships in Florida last week. Joe Chally was second overall with a 2-under-par 286 over four rounds, and Chad Wensel (2 over 291) tied for fourth.

--Santa Clarita Lanes is the place to be for Father's Day (June 15), because this year fathers get to bowl free. Information: [phone].

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Lauren Watson, shown playing for Valencia in 2001, returned for the softball team's alumni game Saturday.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News