State softball: Jupiter embracing challenges ahead of state semifinals in Clermont

When you see Jupiter's softball team take the field, there's almost no one left in the dugout. The entire team comprises 12 players, seven of whom are sophomores.

And for a team that returned just two players in the same position this year, they've had to grow up quickly.

Three months later, the Warriors (15-7) are playing in a state semifinal.

"We're very proud of the girls," head coach Steve Ahern said. "They've really done a great job. We've had some rocky times during the year, but we've always learned and grown from it. They believe in one another. They have a lot of trust in one another. And they've been playing really well."

Playoff softball: Jupiter takes down Wellington behind Sasha Seidel's complete-game gem

The last time the Warriors walked onto the field with a state title berth on the line was back in 2017 when Jupiter lost to Palm Harbor University High 1-0 in the semifinals.

That year was shortstop Bailey Phillips' senior season.

Phillips, after playing in college, has since returned to Jupiter softball as an assistant coach, with this year being her third season in that position, but the first time she'll be returning to the state semifinals.

Nostalgia, perhaps. But a lot on the line either way.

"It's been a lot of fun to have her around and she's put a lot of time and effort into this program," Ahern said. "It's kind of a little bit of a family affair."

Rather than focus on scouting top-seeded Western of Davie for weaknesses, Ahern wants his girls to focus on their own strengths.

"We're just focusing more on ourselves this week," Ahern said. "You know, at this point, everybody's good and you've got to play well to win."

Sophomore Sasha Seidel started off the season with effectively one major pitch.

As the season has gone on, she's developed into one of the county's top pitchers, dominating hitters to the tune of a 0.98 earned run average, with 182 strikeouts.

"She's really been developing and growing," Ahern said. "We've been putting in a lot of time developing her pitches."

Of course, it doesn't hurt when your star pitcher also sports the team's highest batting average. Seidel is hitting .403 with a team-leading 29 hits and 29 RBIs.

Her nine doubles and two triples also lead the Warriors on the stat sheet.

Ultimately, she and other young stars are proving that age is really just a number when it comes to talent.

"Our whole outlook when we went into our region is 'we want to win,'" Ahern said. "We're focusing on that. We're not just saying, 'Hey, let's compete,' we've been able to be aggressive and set a goal for ourselves. We believe that we can beat anybody on our schedule. Nothing's been given to us this year and it's made them stronger."

"Embrace the challenge," he continued. "Stay together and let's see where we end up."

Florida high school softball state championship info

As the Class 7A softball season ramps up to its climactic final four, fans will be able to see No. 4 Jupiter face off against No. 1 Western at 10 a.m. followed by No. 2 Windermere vs. No. 3 Seminole at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday morning.

The games will take place at Legends Way Ballfields in Clermont and the event will be hosted by PFX Athletics.

Tickets are $14 in advance via GoFan and $17 on the day of the event. Parking cost is included in the prices of each ticket. Gates will open one hour before first pitch.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Sasha Seidel, Jupiter softball return to Clermont for state semifinals