Playoff time: Palm Beach Gardens moves on to 7A-Region 3 semifinal round

PALM BEACH GARDENS – In what was an expected outcome last night (May 7), the Palm Beach Gardens Gators baseball team took down the Treasure Coast Titans by a score of 1-0.

By no means was this an easy win for the Gators (21-5), as this turned out to be a defensive battle from start to finish. Only a few things were worth highlighting, but it was enough for the home team to advance advance from the Class 7A – Region 3 quarterfinal round to next week’s semifinal round.

In the bottom of the second inning, Gators senior and Stetson signee Zane Coppersmith led with a double to ignite a scoring possibility.

And not long after the standout connected on his hit, junior Billy Reid came through with a sacrifice fly, which led to his RBI and the game’s only run.

This was the only meaningful thing that happened for the Gators offense last night.

“Thankfully Zane started the inning with a leadoff double,” Reid said. “Then A.J. [Hunerberg] came in and put the sacrifice bunt down. I got a good enough pitch to hit. And I knew that I had to hit a fly ball or hit. I just had to put the ball in play to get the run. I just did my job pretty much.”

Coppersmith chimed in on his leadoff hit and Reid’s sacrifice fly that was the game’s biggest play.

“I was just trying to get a rally going,” he said.

The Gators were able to hold off the Titans (11-9 final record) due to their pitching. It was a masterful outing for senior pitcher and fellow Stetson signee Dominic Stagliano, who had a complete game and nine strikeouts, while allowing just one hit and three runners on base in total.

“Overall it was a great team win,” Stagliano said. “Much needed to advance. I know my team has my back in big games like that. I just needed to trust them and do my job.”

Palm Beach Gardens will move on to play Palm Beach Central (16-10; 3-0 winner over Vero Beach in Class 7A-Region 3 quarterfinals last night) for the fourth time this season. The 7A-Region 3 semifinal matchup will take place on Wednesday, May 12 (7 p.m. first pitch) at Joe Russo Field.

“We’re coming back here ready to play,” Stagliano said. “We’re at the Swamp and we’re going to defend our home. We’re going to fight every game and do our jobs from here on out.”

OTHER FINAL SCORES FROM PALM BEACH COUNTY: FHSAA REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

CLASS 7A – REGION 3

Park Vista 5, Monarch 0 – May 7
Stoneman Douglas 9, Santaluces 0 – May 7

Next game: Stoneman Douglas (24-2) vs. Park Vista (19-5) in 7A-Region 3 semifinal round – May 12, 7 p.m. first pitch

CLASS 6A – REGION 4

Dwyer 4, Cooper City 0 – May 7
St. Thomas Aquinas 4, Martin County 1 – May 7

Next game: Dwyer (16-9) at St. Thomas Aquinas (20-3) in 6A-Region 4 semifinal round – May 12, 7 p.m. first pitch

CLASS 3A – REGION 3

St. John Paul II 3, Cardinal Newman 0 – May 6
King’s Academy 2, American Heritage (Delray Beach) 1 – May 6

Next game: St. John Paul II (21-4) vs. King’s Academy (13-6) – May 11, 7 p.m. first pitch

CLASS 2A – REGION 4

Trinity Christian Academy 8, Seacrest Country Day 4 – May 7
Jupiter Christian 2, Community School of Naples 0 – May 7