District softball: Stetson commit Madison Quinn sets eyes on championship for senior year

PALM BEACH GARDENS — Since last spring, the Gators have been chomping at the bit to get back to the 7A-District 12 championship. With a 2-1 win over Jupiter on Wednesday, they've punched the ticket.

Better yet, Palm Beach Gardens (21-3) has rewritten the script of the semifinal denial that came from the Warriors in 2023.

For Gardens senior Madison Quinn, the friendly rivalry was a bit more personal.

"This is my game," she said. "This is the game I get most excited for because I was at Jupiter my freshman year. Then I came to play for coach Randy [Jackson]."

All the pent-up energy from the Stetson signee's patient waiting paid off early for the Gators in this year's rematch against Jupiter (12-7).

Football is back! Catch key dates for scrimmages, games, and jamborees in Palm Beach County

District baseball: King’s Academy almost denies Benjamin trip to championship at Newman

Quinn's double gives Gardens edge early

In the bottom of the second, Quinn sent an RBI double through left field to put her team on the board.

"I've been in a bit of a slump so it felt amazing to be able to help out my team," Quinn said.

Sophomore Finola Evans scored on the play after walking to first. She scored again in the fourth inning after stealing second base, putting her in position to be driven home by junior Nicole Schultz for a 2-0 lead.

Seidel and Shaffer control the circle

As the Gators racked up eight hits on the evening, Jupiter pitcher Sasha Seidel kept her composure for six innings, notching eight strikeouts along the way.

Gardens opted for junior Sydney Shaffer to battle Seidel again after she pitched an 11-2 win in April.

Shaffer threw another complete game on Wednesday, giving up four hits, one run, one base-on-balls with five strikeouts against the Warriors. However, she hit a rough patch in the top of the sixth when singles for Sienna Rodriguez and Rylee Lewis and an error loaded the bases for Jupiter.

Determined to bring her teammates home, sophomore Sam Basen approached the plate. Her blazing hit looked like fatal danger before centerfielder Brynn Dion-Catasus made the out, but it still left enough time for pinch runner London Gomes to tag up, score, and create a one-run game.

Two still on base was too much for Quinn, who caught Lewis stealing third for Gardens to get out of the inning on top.

Gators coming for it all this spring

"I'm going to miss her. She's my favorite catcher," Shaffer said with a frown. "I don't know what I'm going to do without her behind the plate. I go to her a lot."

"Sydney and I are, like, best friends," Quinn said, knowing hers and Shaffer's chemistry has been a staple of Gardens' success. "Communication is a big thing. I understand her, I catch her lessons, we talk about it, so we know each other really well and I know what she likes to do."

When the two aren't on the diamond, they're sending each other videos of crafts they plan to make at their next sleepover.

Knowing it's their last season in the orange and blue together, Shaffer and Quinn are determined to make it last as long as possible. If all goes as planned, it'll have a fairytale ending, too.

The plot thickens when you look down the 15-player roster and see just two seniors, Ray McNeil and Quinn.

It's a wonder how the Gators have gone from 10-13 last season to being ranked No. 27 in Florida this spring.

Of course, the addition of freshman standout Shea Towns could explain a lot.

Class 7A is led by No. 1 Wellington and No. 2 Park Vista while Gardens is ranked fifth, but the girls have the belief that they can take Wellington (18-3) down − now or later. Especially with Towns set to take the circle on Thursday against the Wolverines.

"I know she's going to bring her best," Shaffer said of her younger counterpart. "We've faced a lot of good pitchers in between. Tonight prepared us for that. Sasha threw a little bit faster, so we're ready to see Wellington."

"God is really working through us," Quinn said. "I just have so much faith in my teammates because when you grow up playing softball all your life, you know you can do it. It doesn't matter who's bigger or who's smaller. We're all pretty small, but we have the confidence, the passion, and the ability to do it.

Gardens already proved it can overcome Vista (16-5) last week. Now, dear old Welly, seeking a historic district title three-peat, is due for payback from the Gators after taking them down, 2-0, in March.

"We have to focus, and I think if we're on top of it, we really do have a chance," Quinn said.

Gardens will travel to Wellington for the title matchup on Thursday. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

Emilee Smarr is a sports reporter for the Palm Beach Post. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: District softball: Gardens' Shaffer, Quinn for the win over Jupiter