Austin Smith Leads Park Vista Past Jupiter 6-2

Austin Smith threw a three-hitter and drove in three runs to lead Park Vista over Jupiter.

No pre-game speeches were necessary, according to Park Vista Manager Larry Greenstein.

The Cobras remembered how Jupiter came in and beat them in the regional quarterfinals to end their 2013 season. Park Vista returned the favor Thursday, beating the Warriors 6-2 in the Class 8A regional quarterfinals played at West Boynton Park.

“I didn’t have to talk to them about it, they knew,” said Greenstein.

Park Vista also defeated Jupiter 6-2 during the regular season and that game was a big deal because it was Jupiter and they’re a good team, according to Greenstein.

“That game really wasn’t about last year,” said Greenstein. “Tonight was about last year. We felt we’re a better team than we were last year and our kids wanted to show that.”

Park Vista (24-3) plays Palm Beach Gardens, who defeated Spanish River 5-0, in the regional semifinals Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Junior right-hander Austin Smith made sure the Cobras didn’t go one-and-done for the second consecutive year against Jupiter.

Smith was the starter and loser in last year’s regional. This year was different.

He scattered three hits, striking out six and walking four over six innings to remain perfect at 11-0.

“I knew I had a tough game and I had to go out there and throw strikes,” said Smith, who leads Palm Beach County with 82 strikeouts in 63 innings. “I did it for the team and myself. I just went out there and fought.”

Smith also led the Cobras with three RBIs, including a two-run single in the first inning to kick-start the offense.

“We just wanted to come out and win on our field,” said Smith, who admitted he was happier with his pitching than his hitting. “This is a big win.”

Greenstein was impressed with his ace, because “nothing bothered him” against a Warriors team that had had won nine of its last 10 coming into the game.

Park Vista made it 4-0 in the third inning against Jupiter ace Lance Fry, who was the winning pitcher in last year’s game.

Junior left-fielder Dakota Julylia led off with a single and moved to second on a balk. Smith’s two-out single to center plated Julylia. Pinch-runner Michael Razzo stole second and scored on an RBI single by junior third baseman Nyle Newland, which knocked out Fry.

Matthew Mika had two hits and scored two runs to spark the Cobras’ offense.

In addition to Austin Smith, junior shortstop Matthew Mika had a double and single, a stolen base and two runs scored, while Colin Smith added two singles and a run scored. Senior catcher Tyler Barre added a two-run double in the fourth to give Jupiter a 6-0 lead.

“I’m proud of our guys, they’ve come a long way,” said Greenstein. “They played hard, they’re a year older, a year stronger, a year wiser. I thought we played well.”

Greenstein also knew it was important to score early against Fry.

“He’s a good pitcher, a good competitor,” said Greenstein. “We know each other very well. That kid, we knew is a battler. I told the team that we have to score some more on this guy because you can’t let him get in a groove.”

The Warriors (15-13) averted a shutout with a run in the sixth inning against Smith. Kevin Fry reached first on an error, moved to second on a fielder’s choice and scored on a two-out single to center by Lance Fry on a 1-0 pitch. Jupiter also scored in the seventh without the benefit of a hit against reliever Bruce Bechtel, who struck out the side.

Jupiter Manager Andy Mook told his team to forget the game in his post-game talk.

“I wanted them to focus on what they accomplished,” said Mook. “We were 6-11 at one point and they never gave up.”

Jupiter ace Lance Fry was forced to pitch from the stretch most of the game.

The team turned it around, was the No. 1 seed in the district, reached the championship game and the regionals.

“Focus on that success,” said Mook, who started six seniors. “I wanted to thank all my seniors, for the four years they put in, all the hard work, the sweat and tears. And to the guys returning, it’s up to them to start working on what they need to work on to get better to be successful so when fall rolls around, they’ll be ready.”

While Mook and Jupiter turn their attention to next season, Greenstein is preparing for Gardens.

He doesn’t know who will start, although he doubts it will be Smith.

“We had a lot of guys help us get here,” said Greenstein. “I have a few options. But they’re a tough lineup. It’s not going to be easy. We just have to go out there and play our best. Whatever happens, happens.”

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