Behind the Plate: Rangers Advance to Third Round with a Sweep over Top Ranked Hebron

After dominating Arlington Lamar in the first round of the UIL playoffs, the Jesuit Rangers were set to play a very talented Hebron Hawks team. The Hawks were a tough second-round match-up for the Rangers, going 28-8 prior and being ranked the number one team in the metroplex by many people. The Rangers would have game one at home and game two at Hebron. 

Hebron Game 1- 5/11/23: 

The first game of this anticipated match-up started at Wright Field. Fans piled into the stands and the student sections could be heard from the parking lot. Senior ace Luke Isett got the ball to start off the series. He was tasked with slowing down the Hawk offense. Isett shoved a complete game, only allowing six hits, four walks, and only one earned run. Isett’s energy on the mound could be felt throughout the stands and kept the Ranger’s energy hot.

The Ranger’s offense started off quickly with a two-run first inning, led by senior Nick Barber’s ’23 baserunning. The Rangers kept the slow trickle of runs as they scored one run in three of the next six innings. Senior Jonah Timmons ’23 had a two-for-three day. Freshman Taylor Haddock ’26, in his first game back from a hand injury, homered in the bottom of the sixth to demoralize the Hawks. The Rangers come away with a big statement win 5-1, to lead the series 1-0. 

Taylor Haddock ’26 called his home run “the most electric thing you’ll ever see.”

Hebron Game 2 -5/12/23: 

After taking a big game one, the Rangers could sweep the Hawks with a win away. The Rangers were 10-1 in away games up to that point in the season. Sophomore Dillon Brandt ’25 took the hill for the Rangers. After a rough first inning, allowing a solo home run, Brandt came back.

Brandt only gave up one earned run, and four hits striking out six, in six innings. Then, to close the game, Senior Jack Barr ’23, pitched in quick fashion, three up, three down. The Rangers prevailed because of a big second inning, scoring four runs. Senior Jonah Timmons led off with a double, then freshman James Jorgensen ’26 followed that with a double himself to start off the rally. Again in the top of the fifth, sophomore Jake Fults ’25 hit a two-run home run to put the Rangers up by five. 

“I had a lot of confidence going into the Hebron series. My comfort level really allowed me to relax and attack a pitch I knew I could hit hard.”- Jonah Timmons ’23

With an additional run in the sixth, the Rangers prevailed 7-1 to complete the sweep of Hebron. The Rangers advance to the third round for the first time since the state-run in 2016. No one knows what the future holds for the Rangers but… 

“Don’t let the Rangers get hot!”- Nick Barber ’23

The Rangers will take on Denton Guyer at Guyer on Thursday, May 18th. Then, at Wright Field on Friday, May 19th, the Rangers will battle in the third round of playoffs. Come out Friday and pack the Wright!

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