Jadyn Spencer now has 52 career home runs, an Iowa softball record.
Courtesy photo
Iowa has a new softball home run queen and she's got an outside shot at the national record.
Waterloo West (Iowa) senior slugger
Jadyn Spencer hit three home runs last week to run her career total to 52 in five years. The record of 49 was held by Sammy Snygg, a 2009 graduate of North Polk (Alleman, Iowa).
Jadyn Spencer is headed to theUniversity of Alabama to playsoftball.
Photo by Joel Lauterbach
The 5-foot-10 University of Alabama signee has an especially difficult task, because she already has drawn 38 walks even though she is the leadoff hitter.
Though she holds most of the school records, Spencer pointed out, "I can't say I ever dreamed of that. I wanted to be a Division I softball player. To just have a successful career, be a leader for my teammates and reach my potential – which hasn't happened yet. There's always work to be done. You're never as good as you're going to be.
"It's a great feeling to be able to share it with the group of people that I did. Some of these girls I've played with since I was 9 years old."
The 5-foot-10 pitcher/first baseman/shortstop has realized one of her dreams by receiving a scholarship to the University of Alabama, one of the nation's premier softball programs.
Spencer is having an outstanding year for the 18-9 Warhawks, batting a lofty .609. She has driven in 31 runs on 39 hits, scored 46 times and stolen an impressive 24 bases in 26 attempts. She has struck out just three times in 64 at-bats. She has 15 home runs this year.
On the mound, she has compiled a 15-6 record with a 0.94 ERA. In 141 innings, she has struck out 238 and walked just 16.
Spencer, who also starred in basketball and track, already has been named Iowa's Gatorade Softball Player of the Year.
Tammy Utley has been a coach for 15 years, but this is her first year at Waterloo West.
"I've never coached an athlete like her," Utley said. "She's got everything. She had a 4.0 GPA and was valedictorian. She does have natural ability, but she puts a lot of time into it. She didn't even have any idea that she was getting close (to records). She's a very modest, humble kid who doesn't necessarily want the spotlight on her. She just loves the game. Breaking records isn't what she set out to do."
And that's correct. Spencer's first aim isn't records, it's wins.
"As long as we win games, that's all you can ask for."
