Led by strong senior class, including Adams twins, St. John Paul II baseball off to a fast start

With a nationally-recognized high school baseball program playing less than 5 miles away, it's easy to overlook St. John Paul II Academy. 

Coach Pete Graffeo has fielded one of Palm Beach County's most consistent programs for 11 years, but the Eagles are often overshadowed by American Heritage, which was nationally ranked by MaxPreps the past two seasons and sent nine players to Division I schools in 2020. 

Not this year, though. 

St. John Paul (5-1), which opened the season with five victories before losing to Hialeah-Champagnat Catholic on Friday, is the No. 1 team in the Palm Beach Post private school rankings. American Heritage (5-2), which has matched its loss total for the past two seasons combined, is one spot behind. 

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Not that Graffeo spends a lot of time dwelling on his rival to the north, just across the Boca Raton-Delray Beach border.

"They earn what they get," Graffeo said of the Stallions. "I have nothing but respect for coach (Carm) Mazza and his program. But I don't worry about what others are doing. I want us to be prepared and ready to go each time we play."

Graffeo said he entered 2021 "hoping for a solid season" with a core of eight seniors who have played for him since their freshman year. He had similarly high expectations last year, when the Eagles got off to a promising start that included two narrow losses to Heritage, only to see the season end prematurely because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Twins Gavin and Gage Adams lead the group of seniors.

Gavin Adams, a 6-foot-4 right-hander, is "kind of a late bloomer who has really developed into an outstanding pitcher," Graffeo said. He has committed to Nova Southeastern University. Gavin is 1-0 with one save, striking out 18 in 10 1/3 innings. He's also batting .320 with four doubles, a triple and four RBI.

When Gavin is on the mound, Gage is his battery mate. "He's off to a slow start (at the plate), but he's an outstanding defensive catcher and we know he'll come around," Graffeo said. Gage is headed to Florida Atlantic as the Eagles' only Division I commit. 

Right-hander Vincent Carignan heads a deep, talented pitching staff. He's 3-1 with 17 strikeouts in 17 innings while usually drawing the Eagles' toughest opponents. In the loss to Champagnat Catholic, Carignan suffered his first defeat in three seasons on the varsity.

"He won't dazzle you with his fastball, but the kid's a winner," Graffeo said. 

Graffeo is still looking for his first trip to the state final four. In his 11 years, the Eagles came closest in 2013, when they reached the regional semifinals before losing 4-3 to Coral Springs Christian and pitcher Touki Toussaint, now with the Atlanta Braves.

"I tell my teams to win innings," Graffeo said. "But the long-term goal is always to get to the state championship. A lot of times, it's the teams that get hot at the end that make it there. I tell my players, 'This is where we're trying to get. But it's not going to be easy ... it's going to take a lot of work.'"

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Graffeo has made sure it won't be easy by putting together a challenging schedule — a mix of top public school teams, including Wellington, Dwyer and Boca Raton, and strong private school programs from Broward and Miami-Dade counties. He also entered the Hall of Fame Classic in Pompano Beach during spring break, with the opening game against Palm Beach Gardens, the No. 1 team in the Post public school rankings. 

And, of course, there's American Heritage. The teams will meet March 23 in Boca Raton, the first game after spring break.

"There's a long way to go," Graffeo said. "This team's story hasn't been written yet."