Wellington Wins 7A-11 Title In Grand Fashion

Wellington Wins First District Title Since 2019!

It has been six years since the Wellington baseball program experienced the joy of winning a district championship. And on Wednesday night, it appeared as though the Wolverines were again headed towards heartache in their district final game against Jupiter.

But baseball, high school baseball in general, has a way of making the most sure things, unsure.

So when Anthony Vargas stepped to the plate in the top of the seventh, and the count 0-2, and his Wellington squad down to their last out and last strike, down 6-4 to a higher ranked Warriors team, the outcome seemed determined.

Then, Vargas launched a grand slam to left-field, sending the visiting Wolverines and their fans into hysteria.

After the dust cleared, and three quick outs in the bottom of the seventh, Wellington had pulled off the 8-6 win, and became district champs for the first time since 2019.

“Felt good to finally get over the district slump we have been in,” said Wellington Manager Scott Riddle. “Jupiter is such a talented team, and it’s special to get a win like this on the road. It’s the type win our guys needed.”

On the other side of the field, there was shock, but also, a lesson to be learned.

“Tonight was another great example of how humbling this game can be, and the many lessons it gives us,” said Warriors Manager Joe Giummule.

While it ended up as a comeback win for Wellington, it was actually the Wolverines that took a commanding early lead. They scored four runs in the second off Warriors ace Ethan Trivison.

Jupiter, as they have done all year, then used their bats to get them back in the game, scoring three runs in the third, and three more in the fourth to take the 6-4 lead.

The big blow was a two run blast from Gabe Graulau, that gave Jupiter the lead.

Despite falling behind, Riddle was proud of the way his pitchers battled on this night.

“I am especially proud of our pitchers and the way they kept us in the game making big pitch after big pitch when we needed it.”

In the seventh, a couple of walks and a single set the stage for Vargas’ heroics. And even with the huge moment, Riddle understood that there was much more that led to the big moment.

“The grand slam by Vargy was one of the cooler things I’ve seen ever,” said Riddle. “But looking back through this game, we had so many great at-bats that led to that.”

The game was the second this year between the two district rivals, and both have been tight affairs, with Jupiter winning 2-0 back in March. Now, the teams both look forward to regional play next week, with a possible rematch coming down the road.

“We will wait until Friday to see who we play, but I am pretty sure we just dropped a big bomb in the middle of the bracket. Being at home in the first round sure beats six hours on a bus,” said Riddle.

For Giummule and his Warriors squad, next week presents another opportunity to put everything they have learned throughout the year into action.

“I can only hope this season of challenges, ups and downs, leads us to bigger and better things starting next week.”

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