Softball: Two regional pitchers put up perfect games

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Does anyone know if the planets were aligned or something on Thursday afternoon, because there were a slew of impressive pitching performances.

I already told you about Julia Rice’s 21-strikeout performance for Oak Park, and there were also a couple perfect games by two regional standouts.

Jessica Spigner, Valencia: We all know Spigner is the real deal -- after all, she wouldn’t be going to Tennessee this fall if she didn’t have immense talent on both sides of the ball. Spigner threw her first career perfect game in a 10-0 victory over Chaminade to improve her record to 12-2 on the season. Heading into spring break, the senior ace has done everything she can to replace Jordan Taylor, and I wouldn’t be shocked if her fine pitching skills lift the Vikings to another Division I title in May.

Here’s what Valencia Coach Donna Lee had to say about Spigner’s big day:

Kim Dauer, Morro Bay: She also tossed a perfect game, striking out 11 in the Pirates’ 6-2 Los Padres League victory over Santa Ynez. Dauer has a 0.378 ERA and 52 strikeouts over 37 innings for a Morro Bay squad that looks poised to challenge Lompoc Cabrillo for the league title. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until April Fool’s Day to figure out if Dauer can out-duel Cabrillo standout Adrianna Segura.

-- Austin Knoblauch