Behind the Plate: Rangers Split Series against HP over Easter

As Easter Break begins, the stage was set for a heated rivalry dubbed the “Tollway Tussle.” The 20-2 Jesuit Rangers take on the 8-10-2 Highland Park Scotts. The Rangers took both games in the series last year. The Rangers look to make their presence felt in the district by a hopeful sweep again.

Game 1: 3/28/24 @Wright Field

Jesuit Wins 3-2

The first game matchup showcases both aces for each squad and shaded up to be a pitchers duel. Junior ace Dillion Brandt took the hill for the Rangers. Brandt threw a complete game and only allowing one earned run. He had five strikeouts on four hits. The Rangers offense pieced together early momentum and got HP’s starter out of the game by the fifth inning. Up until that point the game was tied one to one. Then in heroic fashion, sophomore Shane Parker drives in two runs on a single up the middle to put the Rangers ahead three to two.

Then Brandt comes back in the top of the seventh and gets a one, two, three inning to give the Rangers a big game one win. Notability, sophomore Braxton went three for three with a walk.

“I was seeing the ball well and it’s always fun to face good pitching” – Braxton Barber ’26 

Game 2: 3/30/24 @Scotland Yard

Jesuit Loses 1-2

After having Good Friday off, the Rangers make the trip over to Scotland Yard to try and complete the sweep.

After not pitching since the Lake Travis game pre-district, junior Brayden Montes takes the hill for the important game two. Montes started strong, but quickly allowed traffic on the bases and allowing a run, the Rangers went to senior Jaxx Rigelsky. Montes left the game allowing two walks and three hits in two innings. Rigelsky came in and got a ground ball double play to end the inning. Jaxx finished the game only allowing three baserunners, but giving up another run. The Rangers offense struggled, only tallying five total hits for the game and racking up ten strikeouts against some potent pitching.

Junior Jake Fults had the only RBI, as he drove in a runner from third with two strikes. Jesuit couldn’t pull off the game one come back again and lost in the seventh inning. The Rangers will take on Sachse at Wright Field on Friday, the 5th at 7:00 PM for Senior Night. Be sure to log onto the Jesuit website and follow the Rangers Sport Broadcast or come out to the field to support the seniors!

Stay tuned for The Roundup‘s weekly baseball reports and other sports news!