“Got a beat up glove, a homemade bat and a brand new pair of shoes. You know I think its time to give this game a ride…Put me in coach, I’m ready to play today.”
In the words of the great John Fogerty, it’s that time of year again for pitchers and catchers to report for spring training baseball in the big leagues, and Jesuit Ranger baseball follows suit as it begins its spring season, beginning district play on March 17.
Near the end of February, Jesuit baseball kicked off its season with a five-game series in three days on February 26–28 against Klein, College Station, Crosby, Kempner, and Rudder high schools. Jesuit finished the series with a record of three wins, one tie, and one loss.
In their first matchup against Klein High School, Jesuit’s Kyle Muller ’16 excelled offensively with a single, triple, and home run, just a double shy of hitting for the cycle, an impressive feat in baseball where the batter hits a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in one game. Jesuit’s defense also maintained its composure in the later innings, stifling a last minute rally from their opponent and winning 9-5 over Klein.
In the second matchup against College Station High School, Jesuit’s pitching was a key component, fighting off College Station to the end of the game and keeping pace with a 6-6 tie. Jesuit’s Kyle Muller ‘16 continued his hot streak, however, defensively this time, starting the game on the mound with 11 strikeouts. Finishing the job on the hill were Joey Cherry ‘16 and Jacob Palisch ’17 with a combined three walks and two strikeouts.
In the third game against Crosby High School, Jesuit successfully held their opponent to only scoring one run in the 3-1 win. This game was mostly composed of “small ball” baseball playing, offensively getting base hits and scoring during the first and sixth innings. Cameron Dobbs ’16, Kyle Muller ’16, Nick Ready ’15, and Austin Sheahan ’15 all contributed with singles in the game.
In the second to last game of the series against Kempner High School, Jesuit responded offensively to everything their opponent threw at them, especially in the second and seventh innings, closing the game with a narrow 5-4 win. Once again, the bats were definitely alive, most notably Kyle Muller hit a double, a triple and had a stolen base for the game. Closing the game, Jacob Palisch ‘17 was accredited with the save.
The final game of the series against Rudder High School proved to be a challenge for Jesuit, as the Rangers lost 5-1. Jesuit’s Nick Ready ’15 and Landon Sumner ‘15 responded admirably to the adversity they faced with the only hits of the game for Jesuit. Defensively, Jesuit put up strong numbers in six innings with Zander Erturkuner ’15 and Joseph Montenegro ’17 striking out six.
Overall, Head Coach Brian Jones thought that the team “looked solid both offensively and defensively during the scrimmages. Just where we should have been for early in the season” and that he has “high expectations for this year’s team…the same as every year.”
Likewise, Jared Bond ’16 agrees with his coach that even though there will be tough competition later this year, he believes “that we will beat any team we face…going undefeated in district play.” Some of Jared’s personal highlights during the five game series was having the opportunity to “play at College Station and see that we have what it takes to win a state title.”
Optimism runs high throughout the team, yet Coach Jones keeps the season in perspective, saying, “Whether we are in 5A or 6A, our competition stays the same, and we will always try to play the best competition we can schedule.” The Rangers have a busy schedule against non-district opponents Coppell, Rowlett, Highland Park anc Sachse before opening district play against Sunset March 17 and March 20, followed by Skyline March 24.
