Starting the year off with a record of 8-2 and a huge win against home rival Dwyer, the Jupiter High baseball team looks to defend their district title and improve on their 19-11 record from last year.

The younger players had to step up this year due to the loss of their talented seniors last year.

“Last year, we didn’t really care for one another, it was more individual, but this year we care more about each other as a team and have very good chemistry on and off the field,” Jesse Sullivan, senior catcher attending Flagler College, said.

The players, especially the seniors, are excited to excel this season compared to last year.

“I’m excited because it’s like one last hurrah and to be a leader and to make the best out of it,” Broc Bronson, senior pitcher attending Flagler College, said.

To prepare for the season, the boys worked hard on and off the field.

“I was working out a lot at Cressey Sports Performance and so did a bunch of other guys. We had a couple of days in the fall where we would get together and just throw and hit and workout together,” Mason Barela, junior middle infielder, said.

As for the coaches, their preparation is different.

“As coaches we came together and hammered off some things that we needed to improve on. I also did some training in Daytona for a coaches clinic and went to Nashville, Tennessee to do training. I got to pick a lot of college coaches’ brains and pro guys molding things together for the year,” Andy Mook, head coach, said.

As seniors, some of the boys are concluding their baseball careers so this last season is meaningful to them.

“It’s our last year so it’s our last ride. We are just excited for the memories we’re going to make this year and what we’re gonna leave back behind,” Alejandro Crespo, senior outfielder, said.

Now the boys have to keep up with the preparations and work hard to defend their district title.

“We have to keep coming together as a team. That’s going to be the biggest key because we have the talent but we have to keep them gelling together because only it’s going to get harder,” Mook said.