It’s all about the pitching.
More specifically, thanks to a change in the format for Florida’s high school baseball playoffs, it’s all about the starting pitching in this week’s regional quarterfinals.
Last year, the FHSAA ditched the single-elimination format for the regionals and expanded all three rounds to best-of-three series. This year, the quarterfinal round was cut back to one game, with the semifinal and final rounds remaining best-of-three.
That means all teams will have their aces rested and ready to go for winner-take-all games on April 24 (Classes 4A-7A) and April 25 (Classes 1A-3A). There’s no need to hold back — at least not until the later rounds, when pitching depth becomes more of an issue.
“I don’t like the format,” Jupiter coach Joe Giummule said. “Any team with a really good pitcher can get through a single-elimination round. It should be best-of-three all the way.
“This is the one round that’s the scariest. This is when the most upsets will happen.”
Last year’s quarterfinal series between Wellington and Park Vista illustrated Giummule’s point.
In the opener, Wellington left-hander Jhon Abreu pitched a no-hitter with 14 strikeouts in a 3-0 victory. Under this year’s format, the Wolverines would have advanced to the semifinals. But Park Vista bounced back to win the next two games, then upset top-seeded Vero Beach in three games before falling to Jupiter in the regional finals.
Park Vista (17-5) and Jupiter (17-9) could be headed for another showdown. The teams are seeded second and third, respectively, in Region 3-7A and will face off in the semifinals if they survive this week’s games.
Here’s a look at the quarterfinals involving Palm Beach County teams, and how the pitching matchups shape up.
Region 3-7A
(6) Palm Beach Central at (3) Jupiter: Warriors left-hander Ethan Trivison, who committed to Clemson as a freshman, is preparing to face the Broncos for the second time in eight days. Trivison (0.87 ERA, 62 Ks) dominated Central in the District 11 championship game, throwing six shutout innings before tiring in the seventh in an 8-3 victory.
But Central coach Christian Benhart has an ace up his sleeve. Junior left-hander DeAngelo Davila (1.24 ERA, 41 Ks) started the district semifinal against Wellington, so he wasn’t available to face Jupiter’s imposing lineup two days later. Davila, who pitched five innings in the Broncos’ 5-4 victory over the Warriors in February, is expected to get the call this week.
(7) Tohopekaliga at (2) Park Vista: Senior right-hander Cody Wexler (6-0, 0.40 ERA, 44 Ks) turned in one of the most inspiring performances of the season in Park Vista’s 5-0 win over Boca Raton in the District 12 title game. Taking the mound just hours after a close friend was taken off life support, Wexler pitched a complete-game four-hitter, striking out nine. Wexler is expected to face right-hander Samuel Isturiz (6-1, 2.55 ERA, 31 Ks).
Region 2-6A
(7) Dwyer at (2) Lake Minneola: Sophomore right-hander Kole Griffin emerged as Dwyer’s ace over the second half of the season, leading the team in innings (34 2/3), ERA (1.62) and strikeouts (36). He gave up one unearned run in 4 2/3 innings in last week’s 2-1 loss to Martin County in the District 8 championship game. The Hawks will start one of two right-handers, senior Maddux Bultema (6-0, 0.70 ERA, 43 Ks) or junior Chase Dougherty (7-0, 2.22 ERA, 48 Ks).
Region 4-6A
(4) Miami-Braddock at (5) West Boca Raton: Senior right-hander Max McDougall is a big reason why West Boca (17-10) is riding an eight-game winning streak, including a 3-1 victory over No. 1 seed Coral Springs in the District 14 title game. McDougall (1.39 ERA, 45 Ks) pitched a complete game, giving up four hits and striking out six. He also leads the team in home runs (5) and RBIs (25). The Bulldogs will go with right-hander Derek Betancourt (6-1, 1.12 ERA, 36 Ks) or right-hander Kevin Orta (3-2, 3.03 ERA, 27 Ks).
Region 4-5A
(8) Atlantic at (1) Hialeah Gardens-Mater Academy: Pitching matchups likely won’t come into play in this apparent mismatch. Atlantic (3-10) qualified for the regionals by winning a two-team district.
Region 4-2A
(7) Florida Christian at (2) St. John Paul II Academy: Eagles coach Pete Graffeo used senior right-hander Jack Wilhoit (6-1, 1.21 ERA, 75 Ks) in the District 13 semifinal against Cardinal Newman — he threw six shutout innings — so he’ll be well-rested against the Patriots. Wilhoit, a North Florida commit, is one of the county’s most dominant starters. Alexi Ramirez (3.20 ERA, 34 strikeouts) pitched well in Florida Christian’s 2-1 loss to Davie-University in the District 14 final.
Region 4-1A
(6) Miami-Brito at (3) Atlantic Christian: Sharks coach Miguel Cuello has counted on senior right-hander Landon Moffitt (5-0, 1.60 ERA, 35 Ks) in big games all season, although he had a subpar start in the District 14 semifinal against Berean Christian. Brito has a team ERA of 6.36 with no consistent starters.
(7) Jupiter Christian at (2) Vero Beach-St. Edward’s: Jupiter Christian’s Carter Scott, a 6-foot-6 senior right-hander, pitched a one-hitter against Lake Worth Christian in a District 14 semifinal. Scott (5-3, 3.69 ERA) leads the Eagles in innings (36) and strikeouts (31). St. Edward’s sophomore right-hander Caden Freedman has been dominant all season (8-0, 1.11 ERA, 43 Ks).
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Inside Palm Beach County high school baseball regional matchups
Reporting by Rick Robb, Special to The Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
