Arlington Lamar Game 1 – 4/4/23
After losing to JJ Pearce in the district championship game, the Rangers fell to the second seed and were matched up with Arlington Lamar in the first round of the UIL 6A playoffs. The Rangers traveled to the home of the Vikings for game one of this best of three-game series. Senior ace Luke Isett took the ball for an important game to set the tone for the series. Isett posted a 0.562 ERA during district play and was undefeated in every game pitched this year.
Yet again, Isett proved too much going the distance, shutting out Lamar, only allowing four hits with four strikeouts. The Ranger offense exploded right from the first inning. The Rangers scored five runs in the first inning, led by a three-run home run from sophomore Jake Fults. The Jesuit offense totaled fifteen hits that evening, with senior Nick Barber going four for four. Three other Rangers had a multi-hit game, including freshman Braxton Barber, Jake Fults, and junior Tristen Bird. The Rangers overpowered the Vikings in a big game one statement, winning 15-0.
“It felt good to watch the ball go out park because having a big hit in the first playoff game helps calm the nerves of future games. It helps me to just go out and do what I’ve trained to do my whole life” – Jake Fults ’25
Arlington Lamar Game 2 – 4/5/23
After a blowout in game one, the Rangers tried to complete the sweep at home before a packed Wright Field. Sophomore Dillon Brandt got the start for the Rangers. Brandt had success in his first year of varsity, having a 1.14 ERA in district play.
Brandt went the distance, allowing two earned runs early in the game but only allowing three hits, walking no one, and striking out six batters. After a slow start in the first two innings, the Rangers really put it together. The Rangers put up nine runs in the bottom of the third inning, led by a bomb from freshman James Jorgenson. James also was four for four at the plate, along with Nick Barber ’23 and Dominic Migliore ’23 having two hits each. The Rangers ended up running, ruling the Vikings 16-4 in five innings to complete the sweep and move on to round two!
“Honestly… I was seeing the ball really well this series. My teammates were getting on so I could keep coming up to the plate. Everything seemed to just fall in place and we played some really fundamental, sound baseball. Don’t let the Rangers get hot!”
– Nick Barber ’23
The Rangers take on Hebron at Wright Field on Thursday, May 11th, and then at away on Friday the 12th for the second round of playoffs. Come out Thursday and pack the Wright! Stay tuned for The Roundup‘s weekly baseball reports and other sports news!
