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District champs: Which local baseball, softball teams claimed titles this week?

Baseball and softball teams across Palm Beach County are making room in their trophy cases as they commemorate district titles.

This week was home to some local favorites running away with big results as well as some nail-biter contests that came down to the wire.

Before the teams prepare for the state tournaments, which will open up with regional play, see which teams came out victorious in local play this week.

Seminole Ridge gets fourth straight

For some, like Seminole Ridge, the district championship win on Thursday represented the latest in a line of successful seasons.

The Hawks defeated Dwyer in a 7-2 matchup in their title game, and oh, did things get started in a hurry for the Seminole Ridge offense.

Seminole Ridge's Grace Rawn completes a throw to first base for an out in the first inning of the Hawks' regular season game against palm Beach Gardens on Mar. 27, 2024.
Seminole Ridge's Grace Rawn completes a throw to first base for an out in the first inning of the Hawks' regular season game against palm Beach Gardens on Mar. 27, 2024.

Grace Rawn did what Grace Rawn does best -- and that's set the tone. In Thursday's game, the senior sent a ball a long ways but foul during her first at-bat. The next pitch, she straightened it out, sending it beyond the fence for a lead-off home-run.

"She's been our leadoff batter all year for that reason," head coach Candace Navarro said. "She just sets the tempo for our team and always has great at-bats. And she did it last night -- got everybody fired up."

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The Hawks would go on to bat around the order in that inning, sending nine hitters to the plate in a five-run first.

There was no looking back.

Dwyer tallied a pair of runs in the top of the seventh inning before Bella Martinez shut the door to post a complete-game victory.

Four straight years. A bit of a district dynasty, perhaps?

"You have to give credit to your past spark-plugs," Navarro said. "They came in, pitchers of the past, that really started igniting this program. They pushed for this program to be where they are right now, and they just keep kind of passing it down."

The result has been a group of girls that have passed the torch of season leadership.

"Their last words at the end of the game last night -- they gathered the underclassmen and they said, 'you guys have to keep this going.'" This is the leadership of saying, 'hey, this program continues once we're done.'"

Navarro says the squad is looking forward to seeking a fifth next year, but for now, regionals await, and Seminole Ridge is looking for some quarterfinal success that has eluded the Hawks in recent seasons.

"This is probably the best team that we've had in the four years, but to go four in a row is hard no matter what," Navarro said. "I'm so happy for them."

Who else won district titles?

Softball

Wellington softball faces off with Palm Beach Gardens in a district championship game on May 2, 2024.
Wellington softball faces off with Palm Beach Gardens in a district championship game on May 2, 2024.

West Boca, 6A-District 13

The Bulls defeated Fort Lauderdale 10-3 to win the title. West Boca got multiple-hit performances from Araya Brunner, Madison Luft, and Gabriela Thigpen in the blowout win over the district's top seed. Lindesy Signore tallied nine punch-outs.

Wellington, 7A-District 12

In one of the toughest districts in Palm beach County for any sport, the Wolverines bested Palm Beach Gardens in a 7-6 thriller for the title, with D'Yami Meredith and Erynn Lowe coming up big at the plate in support of Tori Payne.

Spanish River, 7A-District 13

The Sharks defeated top-seeded Park Vista in a 6-2 upset victory. Tamsin Scarrett hit a home-run and Sophia Camacho posted a three-hit performance while Giselle Portanova got the win after pitching a complete game.

Baseball

Jupiter's Gavin Marchese ranges in to make the catch on the run in center field against Benjamin on April 22, 2024.
Jupiter's Gavin Marchese ranges in to make the catch on the run in center field against Benjamin on April 22, 2024.

Trinity Christian, 2A-District 14

Trinity Christian defeated Jupiter Christian 9-2 behind big games at the plate from Manny Espino, Mason Ryder, Elijah Andino, Micah Herring, and Erick Soto. Freshman Peyton Warner fanned eight batters in the win.

Cardinal Newman, 3A-District 11

It came down to the ninth in an extra-inning thriller, but the Crusaders bested Benjamin 2-1 in the district title game. Sam Lovitz pitched a game, fanning 11 batters across eight winnings before turning the ball over to Alex Thompson to close things out.

West Boca, 6A-District 13

West Boca defeated Dwyer 7-4 behind a massive game at the plate from Parks Fucci, who tallied four hits, including a home-run, scoring three times. Max McDougall and Matt Pagan navigated a dangerous Panthers lineup to take down the No. 1 seed.

Jupiter, 7A-District 11

Jupiter's Gavin Marchese and Ryan Senecal combined for seven RBIs in a 9-6 win over Wellington. Jake Finnegan joined them in the home-run parade, while Mason Barela tallied a pair of hits as well.

Park Vista, 7A-District 12

The Cobras took care of business in the district title game, shutting out Santaluces with a 4-0 score-line. Joe Calise hit a triple and was perfect at the plate, while pitcher Cael Brannon fanned 11 hitters in six innings for the victory.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Which local baseball and softball teams won district titles this week?