Jupiter up next Wednesday in 7A-3 regional semifinals
For a second straight year, the Longhorns are headed to the regional semifinals.
Harmony (23-6) earned that right on Thursday night, completing a quarterfinal sweep of Lake Nona, 13-3. Combined with Wednesday night’s 5-2 win over the Lions, Harmony advances to next week’s Class 7A, Region 3 semifinal to face Jupiter (21-8) in a best of three series starting on Wednesday. As the No. 2 seed in region 3, Harmony will host the first two games. A third game if necessary will be played next Saturday at Jupiter.
Jupiter was upset by Wellington in their district final and made the regional as an at-large team. The Warriors eliminated St. Cloud (17-9), winning 10-0 and 2-1 in a doubleheader Wednesday in Jupiter. The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead into the sixth inning of Game 2 – but gave up single runs in the final two frames to see their season come to an end.
“Terrific team and it will be a great challenge for us,” Harmony coach Heath Williams said. “Not only are they talented, but they are going to be looking to avenge their loss to us in last year’s post-season.” Harmony upset second-seeded Jupiter in the road, 10-6, in the 2024 single-elimination tournament.
Williams said he was not totally happy with his team’s intensity on Thursday night, despite the Longhorns win that ended in the sixth inning because of the 10-run rule. “Obviously we’ll take the win and were glad to avoid a Game 3 on the road, but I just don’t think we were as sharp as we should be and I’m not sure everyone’s head was in the game.”
Harmony’s 10th straight win was the third in a row against Lake Nona after beating the Lions, 15-6, in the district final. Thursday’s clinching win was similar to the district championship as Harmony saw its starter fail to get out of the first inning, fall multiple runs down but rally back for a dominating win.
Ismael Rivera, who picked up the save in one and two-thirds innings of work in Wednesday's game, was limited to about 35 pitches on Thursday. But he made the most of those, striking out four, walking one and not allowing a hit. While he was stifling the Nona bats, his teammates gave him all the support he needed in the third, sending 10 men to the dish and plating seven runs as Harmony forged a 9-2 lead. Jose Scrofani and Ashton Faye each added two RBI singles and Jardiel Perez bashed his fourth home run of the season to lead the rally.
Clayton Williams, who had a two-run single in the first to tie the game, added a bases-loaded three run double in the sixth to push the lead to 12-3. Scrofani drew a bases load walk in the bottom of the sixth to end the game via the 10-run rule.
Rivera was not the only standout on the mound for Harmony. Alexavier Lebron combined with freshman Ryan Romini to work the final three innings – allowing just two hits and one unearned run – in shutting down the Lions’ offense.
Harmony finished with 12 hits Thursday and took advantage of 12 walks. Perez had two hits and scored four runs, Scrofani had a couple of this, 3 RBI and reached base four times and Castillo reached base four times, score two runs and stole a base.
The sweep was set up a day earlier when sophomore Trevin Bean worked five and third innings of four-hit ball and struck out 11 in the 5-2 win over the Lions. Medina, who doubled in the game, drove in two runs.
“Although I feel pretty good about our pitching, I was happy to complete the sweep and avoid a Game 3 on the road,” Williams added. “I have some mixed feelings about this new format, but the important thing is we are advancing.”
