Jupiter Christian forfeits regional semifinal to Trinity Christian after exceeding pitch limits

Jupiter Christian, one of the surprise teams of the high school baseball playoffs, had to forfeit its Class 2A regional semifinal game against Trinity Christian on Wednesday.

The Eagles violated a Florida High School Athletic Association rule regarding pitch limits, Trinity Christian athletic director Derek Chirch said. Chirch said he was informed Tuesday that Jupiter Christian's appeal was denied and that the FHSAA had declared Trinity Christian the winner.

A spokesperson in the Eagles athletic department confirmed the forfeit but would not comment further.

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Jupiter Christian defeated Naples-Community School 2-0 in a regional quarterfinal Friday. Sophomore left-hander Liam Schultz pitched a seven-inning complete game, giving up four hits and striking out five. 

According to scoring accounts from both schools posted on GameChanger, Schultz threw 98 pitches. The FHSAA's limits are 95 pitches for ages 15-16 (Schultz is 16) and 105 for ages 17 and up. The rules allow a pitcher "to finish the batter when the pitch count limit is reached during an at-bat," but Schultz threw three pitches to the final batter, so he had reached the 95-pitch limit at the end of the previous at-bat.

Jupiter Christian (10-12), the No. 3 seed in District 14-2A, entered the postseason with a losing record but won three consecutive games, including a 6-5 upset of Trinity Christian in the district final. The Warriors (16-7-2) bounced back to defeat Naples-Seacrest Country Day 8-4 in the regional quarterfinals.

With the forfeit, Trinity Christian advances to the Region 4-2A final Saturday against the winner of Hialeah-Champagnat Catholic vs. Miami Christian. The regional champion advances to the state tournament in Fort Myers.   

TUESDAY 

St. John Paul II Academy 8, King's Academy 3: Kevin Freshcorn's two-run single keyed a four-run first inning and the Eagles (21-4) went on to defeat the Lions (13-7) in a Class 3A regional semifinal game in Boca Raton on Tuesday. 

Gavin Adams weathered a three-run third and pitched five innings for the victory. Freshcorn pitched two shutout innings for the save. 

St. John Paul will face Fort Pierce-John Carroll (17-9) in the regional final May 19, with the winner advancing to the state tournament. John Carroll beat Sarasota-Cardinal Mooney 6-2.