How did Palm Beach County baseball and softball teams fare after first-round of districts?
JUPITER — If Jupiter Christian baseball makes a habit out of getting even this week, the Eagles just might be able to put an end to a three-year district championship drought.
After a 7-0 defeat of Berean Christian, Jupiter Christian (9-10-1) remains on the road to a title. Just three days after the two met in Roger Dean Stadium, where they left the scoreboard tied 6-6.
"It's the best feeling because nothing's promised anymore," rightfielder Jack Koza said, one of Jupiter Christian's six seniors.
"To get a win and play another game, knowing this would've been the last of my career, to keep going feels great."
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Koza led his crew with two runs on three hits, highlighted by an RBI double to score Monday's winning pitcher James Rheinecker.
First-year manager Kennie Silvestri has learned that every time Koza gets on base to start a game, "good things happen."
"He always has so much good energy," Silverstri said of Koza. "He's excited to be here every day, loves playing right field, loves batting leadoff. He just always brings a spark to the top of the lineup."
Four runs produced by Jupiter Christian's offense in the sixth inning were more than enough to support Rheinecker's five innings on the mound against the Bulldogs (7-12-2).
"I feel like we played very well compared to Friday. I think we just had fun today and threw strikes, played good defense, and hit the ball," Rheinecker said. The sophomore gave up just two hits and one walk.
Silvestri was more than pleased with the youngster's outing.
"James started the year on our JV team and then he came up the last half of the year and he's just been awesome. He's throwing so many strikes and he just trusts his defense and we play great defense behind him," Silvestri said.
Quality over quantity in this roster's upperclassmen, plus a corps of young players with bright futures made keeping Jupiter Christian afloat an easier job for Silvestri, who inherited the 2A program after four years of former coach Ray White.
Silvestri has successfully returned the team to semifinals, set for Tuesday at Boca Raton Christian. He, Koza, and Rheinecker alike believe that the Eagles can get back to ship against likely opponent Trinity Christian, too. In 2023, Trinity Christian defeated JCS, 13-2.
Reminding of the last time the Eagles met Boca Christian on Apr. 15, Koza said: "Last game, we got no hit and won. That's just pitching and defense. If we put together the offense, it's an easy one."
Even if the Eagles don't put it together, there's still a lot to be excited about at JCS.
"I think we've got a really strong junior class coming up to be seniors next year. Just a lot of good talent in the upcoming generations so I think we'll be pretty good next year and the year following," Rheinecker said.
More to know from Monday night
Royal Palm Beach denies Palm Beach Gardens baseball for upset of the night
Could a wild win for the Wildcats in the first-round be the juice fifth-seed Royal Palm needs to clinch its first district title since 2015? Time will tell, but a 5-3 win over No. 4 Palm Beach Gardens offers a healthy dose of confidence at minimum.
In the fifth inning, senior Edward Wood III doubled on a line drive through centerfield to score fellow senior Jaxon Gelb, the 4-2 lead just enough to give Royal Palm (10-14) the energy to hang on against the rallying Gators.
Monday wasn't a night for one of Gardens' pride-stirring walk-off comebacks, but instead, history repeating itself. Royal Palm didn't let Gardens (8-17-1) advance to district semifinals last year, only for Jupiter to stop the team's championship dreams in semifinals. Unfortunately, the Wildcats have received the same green-and-gold-wrapped present as a reward for this year's quarterfinal feat.
District quarterfinal scoreboard
Find more information on local district tournaments here!
Baseball
Lake Worth Christian def. Atlantic Christian Academy, 13-10
Gateway Charter def. Glades Central, 8-6
Oxbridge def. Lincoln Park Academy, 10-3
Spanish River def. Olympic Heights, 6-0
John I. Leonard def. Lake Worth, 12-2
Deerfield Beach def. Seminole Ridge, 11-8
Martin County def. Atlantic, 10-0
American Heritage-Delray def. Somerset Canyons, 12-2
Pompano Beach def. Dr. Joaquin Garcia, 2-1
Softball
Palm Beach Central def. John I. Leonard, 18-2
Olympic Heights def. Santaluces, 19-4
Forest Hill def. Royal Palm Beach, 16-1
Martin County def. Atlantic, 21-0
Dr. Joaquin Garcia def. Suncoast, 17-6
Cardinal Newman def. Somerset Canyons, 10-0
Morningside Academy def. Berean Christian, 17-16
Emilee Smarr is a sports reporter for the Palm Beach Post. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: District baseball: Jupiter Christian defense dominates Berean, Royal Palm upsets Gardens
