Jupiter Jumps Up Early, Defeats Central For 7A-11 Title

Jupiter won their second straight district title Thursday night.

Through the years, the Jupiter Warriors under Manager Andy Mook have established themselves as one of the models of success for programs in Palm Beach County. On Thursday night, that model of excellence continued, as the Warriors scored nine runs in the first three innings, then cruised to an 11-3 win over Palm Beach Central.

The win gave the Warriors their second straight district championship.

“Really proud of these players,” said Mook. “They have really embraced the Warrior way, and play for each other.”

The meeting between district foes was the second on the year, with the Warriors winning the first 11-6. On Thursday, it was more of the same offensively for Jupiter, starting in the first inning.

With the Broncos scoring two runs in the top of the first on back to back bases loaded walks from Kyle Baxt and Jake Carman, it was up to the Warriors to answer, which they did, with one run of their own.

Central extended their lead to 3-1, but in the bottom of the second, the Warriors bats would set the tone for the rest of the game. After a strikeout, Mason Barela singled, and Jesse Sullivan walked. An Aiden Chin double would drive in Barela and cut the lead to 3-2.

After a hit by pitch, senior Tyler Johnson delivered the big blow of the inning, a three-run double, putting Jupiter up 5-3. Ryan Senecal would follow that up with an RBI single of his own, and after another run came across later in the inning, the Warriors had put up a six spot and taken a 7-3 lead.

In the third, Chin had his second extra base hit of the game, when he belted a lead-off home run to left. Senecal also had his second RBI hit of the game later in the frame. At 9-3, the Warriors could start to taste the championship.

Relievers Broc Bronson and Jaxon Inouye would ensure no comeback was in the cards for the Broncos, as they scattered three hits, while striking out nine over the final six innings.

Jupiter’s offense would add two more runs in the fifth. Chin ended the day 3-for-3, with two RBIs and three runs. Johnson, Senecal, and Brady Blanks all had two hits in the teams 12-hit attack.

For Jupiter, it has been an uneven season, as they won eight of their first nine games. They then lost three of their next four, before winning four of six. It was a year of streaks, and with the Warriors now having won three of five, they are hoping the hot streak extends into regionals next week.

The team chemistry appears to be in tact heading to regionals, according to Mook.

“It’s awesome to see how much they love playing the game of baseball with each other.”

As for the Broncos, they will now await their fate with the state rankings system to see if they will be moving on to regionals, but heading into district play it appeared Central would have to win the district title to get in.

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