Jupiter Ousts Park Vista To Return To The State Tournament

The Warriors celebrate after earning a trip to the state Final Four. *Photo by Grace Cothran.

The Jupiter Warriors are headed back to the state tournament.

After taking the opening game of the best-of-three regional championship playoff against the Park Vista Cobras, the Warriors completed the sweep by erupting offensively for a 17-7 victory in Thursday’s decisive Game Two.

Jupiter (24-9) wins the 7A-3 regional title and advances to the 7A Final Four, at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. The Warriors will be chasing after their second state championship in team history, after an epic title run in 2018.

“I’m just so happy for our players,” Warriors first-year Manager Joe Giummule said. “The season had a bunch of ups and downs; many key performers missed multiple games with injuries, coupled with a challenging schedule. We hit some speed bumps throughout the season.”

The marquee match-up between two of Palm Beach County’s most storied programs did not disappoint. Jupiter battled for a 5-3 decision in Game One, and it would have come as little surprise if the Cobras had answered back on Thursday to force a game three that they would have hosted. But the Warriors came out swinging hot bats, and they slugged six home runs overall, while breaking out to a 13-0 lead through four innings.

Yet the Cobras (24-8) held off their fate a bit longer by responding back with a seven-run fifth inning that avoided the mercy-rule and kept the slugfest going. Anthony Iaciofano had an RBI single to get Park Vista on the scoreboard, and Owen Dever hit a grand slam that made it a 13-7 contest.

The 2025 Class 7A-3 Regional Champion Jupiter Warriors. *Photo by Grace Cothran.

Jupiter had one last rally in the tank that closed things out, as a four-run sixth inning ended the game via the mercy rule. Griffin Miller finished off his monster day by hitting his third home run, and Colton Schwarz connected for his second home run on a two-run shot that closed out the contest. Brady Blanks also homered in the game, as part of a 4-for-5 showing in which Blanks doubled, drove in a pair and also scored three runs.

With the tough schedule that the Warriors played this season, all those tough opponents helped prepare them for the deep and talented Cobras.

“I purposely scheduled the way I did,” Giummule said. “It is for this moment. We took two trips this year, starting in Key West, and we also went to Orlando for Spring Break. During the season we played seven teams in the Top 21 in the state, five teams that played in states last year, and, as of today, three that will be joining us in states this year – with the potential of two more.”

The battle-tested Jupiter lineup proved its depth in how every spot in the batting order stepped up to deliver on Thursday. Ryan Senecal went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI, Cullen Smith was 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs, and Andrew Abad went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run. Ed Otero was also 1-for-1 with two walks and two runs.

Jack Wahl-Cox earned the victory, after throwing three-and-a-third scoreless innings for his fifth win of the season. The right-hander scattered four hits and two walks, and had three strikeouts.

Brady Blanks had a monster day at the plate to lead the Warriors’ offense, going 4-for-5 with a double, a home run, two RBI and three runs. *Photo by Grace Cothran.

Anthony Iaciofano led Park Vista, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run. Michael Maynes went 1-for-1 with a double and a walk.

No strangers to the big stage at Hammond Stadium, the Warriors now get set to battle for their second state trophy. The four-time defending state-champion Douglas Eagles have also earned their return to the 7A Final Four, while the other side of the 7A bracket has yet to be decided. Alonso and Venice are set for a Game Three on Saturday, while Spruce Creek and Hagerty will finally begin play on Friday afternoon in a doubleheader forced after two days of rainouts.

“We are excited and we look forward to the next challenge,” Giummule said. “Our school and administration have been so supportive, and our community really supports us. So many restaurants have sponsored meals, so many local business have supported us. Jupiter is a really a special place and this is why I picked up and moved my family to be part of something like this.”

The Class 7A State Final Four will begin on Friday, May 16th.

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