Story
Softball: Jupiter stops Palm Beach Gardens again
Friday, April 27, 2012
by
Jeff Greer
Gary Coronado / Palm Beach Post
Kylee Hanson didn't mind the crowd.
She didn't worry about all the buzz leading up to her Jupiter team's anticipated matchup with rival Palm Beach Gardens in the Class 8A regional semifinal.
Those calm nerves showed Friday night, as Hanson pitched a four-hitter and drove in the eventual winning run in Jupiter's dominant 4-0 win in front of a large and loud crowd.
It was the second time in as many weeks that Jupiter stunned Palm Beach Gardens, which for several weeks was the nation's top-ranked team by ESPN and MaxPreps, and both wins were emphatic. Jupiter routed Gardens 10-4 in the District 9-8A final last Thursday.
"We wanted this one, too," said Hanson, who struck out five and pitched her way out of several key moments. "I just told myself not to let down mentally. I knew it was a big game, but we've been playing really well as a team."
Jupiter (22-6) has won eight consecutive games, outscoring opponents 49-6 during the streak.
The Warriors smashed two doubles off Gardens' ace Shelby Turnier in the second inning, with Hanson's driving in Alex Arciola for the game's first run.
Then, Theresa Samstag slammed a pitch to center for an RBI double. Devin Williams' RBI single made it 3-0.
Jupiter never flinched defensively, and tacked on another in the fifth inning. The Warriors will play in their second regional final in program history Tuesday.
"These kids are so mentally tough," Jupiter coach Steve Ahern said. "They've worked so hard. They've had competitive, smart at-bats, and that has really showed late in the season."
It was a stunning and rapid demise for Gardens (26-3), which for a while appeared to be the clear-cut favorite to win the state title, which would've been the Gators' fifth in eight years. They outscored opponents 230-20 in the regular season, including a 14-1 rout of Jupiter, though Hanson didn't start that game.
But each time the Gators faced Hanson, it was a challenge.
"We just didn't get any timely hitting," Gardens coach Randy Jackson said. "They got those two timely hits that were huge, and we couldn't get anything going.
"But credit them, credit Kylee. Our kids played their guts out all year, we were just off in the playoffs, and when you face a pitcher like (Hanson), you have to be on your game."
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User Comments:
tutiannahaha commented on April 28, 2012 at 7:30 a.m.: report abuse
Great job Warriors!!!Stay strong and lets do it again!!!!
PBSoftball commented on April 28, 2012 at 8:01 a.m.: report abuse
So Mr. Green you might want to change your final rank to reflect best team in PBC. Jupiter #1. Give credit where it is do.
@PBSoftball commented on April 28, 2012 at 9:48 a.m.: report abuse
I think he will now, but it wouldn't have made sense to put the #1 team in the nation as #2 in the county. Also, season isn't over...if Jupiter flames-out before states, then they might not be best in the county.
Jeff Greer commented on April 28, 2012 at 10:39 a.m.: report abuse
Who is Mr. Green?
Donna Elsner commented on April 28, 2012 at 10:41 a.m.: report abuse
Way to go girls!!!! So excited for you and the Warrior softball program!!! Kuddos to the coaching staff also!!!
@Jeff Greer commented on April 28, 2012 at 1:23 p.m.: report abuse
I don't know who Mr. Green is, but I'm sure he would be more objective in his coverage of PB County prep sports than you and your buddy Porter are.
PV Fan commented on April 28, 2012 at 1:51 p.m.: report abuse
Kylee Hansen was awesome last night! Holding the PBG lineup the way she did, they have great hitters 1-9, and she pitched a shut out game to seal the deal! Kudos to Kylee and her team for beating the #1 team in the nation. Kylee should lead her team to a state title and shouldn't doubt be the pitcher of the year!!! Good luck Jupiter, bring the title back to PBCounty!!!
Jeff Greer commented on April 28, 2012 at 2:02 p.m.: report abuse
Sorry you feel that way. Thanks for reading.
Softballer commented on April 28, 2012 at 2:16 p.m.: report abuse
Yeah, let's see if PBPost (Jeff) can shake his love addiction of PBG to give Jupiter players their fair share of praise. He's way to prejudice to PBG, always has been. Hope he can be fair, we shall see.
Jeff Greer commented on April 28, 2012 at 2:24 p.m.: report abuse
They love me in Jupiter!
Softball player commented on April 28, 2012 at 2:30 p.m.: report abuse
I totally agree, I really would be shocked if Kylee wasn't selected as Post Player of the year, she's more than deserving. She the only pitcher who pitched 2 wins against the #1 team in the Nation. That's a no brainer, no matter how prejudice he is!! Not to mention beating them for 2 Championship titles, Districts and regionals. Jupiter will most certainly be the 8A State Champions this year, they've already played and beat the hardest competition they could possibly face. Congrats girls!!
Poor Jeff commented on April 28, 2012 at 2:33 p.m.: report abuse
We do love you, why don't you love us!? :-(
A sports fan commented on April 28, 2012 at 7:47 p.m.: report abuse
Jeff must be doing something right because no one in my family plays softball but it is totally amusing seeing you come back day after day and whine about everything. You propably won't be statisfied with anything he says. Just take you win all the way if you can then come home with the bragging rights.. @ Jeff Greer I'm a nuetral reader and enjoy your articles thanks for reporting!
Softball1234 commented on April 28, 2012 at 8:39 p.m.: report abuse
So glad a different team can go to State Good luck Jupiter You guys are going to do great!!!!!!!!!
@ a sports fan commented on April 28, 2012 at 8:41 p.m.: report abuse
YeaH right, you don't have a softball player in the family yet you feel the need to read and post on a softball blog! Your too sad. That's whats amusing you reading this blog day after day, just a Jeff Greer groupie. LMAO!
A sports fan commented on April 28, 2012 at 9:20 p.m.: report abuse
@ how ever you are I was actually a friend of some one on jupiters team who probably doesnt even look at this stuff LMAO and you are probably just a hater who has nothing to do but make remarks about Jeff Greer, you didnt notice the pictures 2 of PBG and the rest jupiter. You are just a S--t stirrer who has noting to do complain, your daughter probably doesnt even play... Jupiter has a great game and your Bull Sh-t just ruins it. Like I said let them go all the way and then they have bragging rights. What a jerk you are.
Upset parent commented on April 28, 2012 at 10:16 p.m.: report abuse
Well I was standing around the Jupiter side during the game against Gardens and boy the Jupiter people where very poor sports. I heard them calling the Gardens coach an a--hole and yelled to him coach you can't handle being behide coach. REALLY!!!!! After that I was standing by some Gardens parents at the end of the game and they where say Jupiter played a good game. I do have to say one thing the umpire was not for Gardens at all!!!! Well I can't say that because Hanson beats Gardens and she gets Player of the Year. Player of the Year means the whole season not just two games. I hope you parents stop bashing Jeff Greer and anyone else for that matter. Remember let the kids play!!!!!
a observer commented on April 28, 2012 at 11:53 p.m.: report abuse
Having seen all these girls play since they were eight years old, it was kind of surreal now, seeing them play for something really special. Gardens girls, especially the seniors have had a great ride ( 2 state titles ), but this year was not meant to be. I have watched kylee since she was eight, and probably no girl has put more time in to try and perfect her craft and skill as she has. Shelby turnier is a great pitcher, and so is Kylee hanson. It was great softball drama for the community last night. So far, it is jupiter's year, and hope they can bring another championship to PBC. Congrats to the girls on both teams for their hard work, success, and their futures in and out of softball. As for the parents, mentioned by upset parent, it will never change. You either have class, or you do not.
@ sports fan commented on April 29, 2012 at 12:37 p.m.: report abuse
You were a friend of a Jupiter player?! So what your not now? Jupiter already has bragging rights, I mean seriously, they beat the #1 team in the nation didn't they!! Twice even!! PBG was in the media all the time for their win/loss record and their great players, and rightfully so. It's just now the team that's on top is Jupiter, who beat them twice, with PBG Ace on the mound both times. So they do indeed already have bragging rights, even if they don't win another game here on out! You are for sure a PBG parent, take the loss respectfully, your the one that sounds like a whining Jerk! And just for your knowledge, Jeff wasn't the photographer who took and posted the pictures. Idiot! Your comment made no sense. Get a grip. Trust me no comments on this blog are going to ruin anything for Jupiter, they are on a high that I hope will carry them right through the championship. Jupiter will be the team to best next year too, they'll still have Hansen!! Love it!!!
What? commented on April 29, 2012 at 5:28 p.m.: report abuse
Player of the year means the best player of that year, who cares what your record is if you lose Districts and Regionals! They are the most important games!! You could have a horrible record and learn from it and come out in the end on fire and win the games that mean something and take your team as far as you can go. That 24-3 record means nothing in the end if your still not in the hunt for the State Championship. Player if the Year should be about the best in our county, and if Hanson isn't the best by pitching and winning against the #1 team in the nation, powerhouse PBG - and a shut out at that - then theres something terribly wrong and the award means squat.
A fan of all local teams commented on April 29, 2012 at 8:27 p.m.: report abuse
Congratulations Coach Ahearn!!Forget stats and win/loss records, the most striking thing that I have seen in this paper this year is the photos of your team smiling.Also, congratulations to Gardens for a superior program year after year.
When talent plays talent anything can happen. Here's hoping Jupiter parents
behave better at the next step of this journey for their girls.
Remember when... commented on April 30, 2012 at 8:20 a.m.: report abuse
Remember when all the Jupiter parents could do was bash Ahern?
Still do commented on April 30, 2012 at 8:43 a.m.: report abuse
Oh, you mean like the Gardens parents do Jackson. I don't have a kid at Jupiter or PBG, but I know parents from both schools as my daughter plays travel with thier kids, and trust me, they bash Jackson as well. Remember when, what exactly was your point anyways?
PBG Softball commented on April 30, 2012 at 1:11 p.m.: report abuse
Congrats Jupiter! Oh well PBG, recruiting season just starts earlier.... I was patronizing the Dicks sporting goods out on southern blvd and saw a "Pitcher Wanted" ad posted outside - "Call RJ". I am sure someone will respond.
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