Behind the Plate Returns: Ranger Baseball Makes a Strong Statement; 6-0

Thursday 2/22/24 Game 1: Plano West

Jesuit Wins: 11-0

The Rangers started off strong. Junior Asher Levy got the ball for his first varsity start and it didn’t disappoint! Levy went five strong innings only allowing five baserunners and holding Plano West scoreless. The Ranger’s offense exploded early courtesy of junior E’ Mar Fleming, who hit a three run bomb into right field to score the first runs of the year. Jesuit followed that up with two more runs in the first. They tacked on runs every inning, winning in five innings due to a run rule. Eight of the nine Ranger hitters recorded hits, sophomore Braxton Barber had two. The Rangers make a strong statement in their first game.

Thursday 2/22/24 Game 2: Centennial 

Jesuit Wins: 3-0

Amongst many new faces for the Rangers this year, an old face returns to the mound. Junior ace Dillion Brandt took the bump for game two. Brandt, looking in midseason form, tossed a complete game shutout, allowing only one hit. Brandt struck out eight and kept his pitch count below eighty pitches. The Ranger’s offense slowed, only scoring three runs. Senior Tristen Bird drove in the first run in the bottom of the second with a single to left field. Then late in the game, sophomore Taylor Haddock and E’Mar Fleming drove in two more insurance runs to increase the lead to three. This Rangers win concluded a successful first day of the season. 

Friday 2/23/24 Game 1: North Forney

Jesuit Wins: 9-3

On Friday afternoon, the Rangers square off with the North Forney Falcons. Sophomore James Jorgensen took the mound. He threw two scoreless innings while striking out five batters. But walks plagued Jorgensen in the third, allowing the Falcons to score their only runs of the game. He was relieved by junior Bradyen Montes who went the remaining four innings, allowing only three hits and no runs. Again, the offense came ready to play scoring in every inning until the fifth, putting the Rangers up seven to three. Jesuit tacked on two more in the bottom of the sixth to secure a nine to three victory. Junior Jake Fults had a game, going two for three with a double and a triple. 

Friday 2/23/24 Game 2: Naaman Forest 

Jesuit Wins 2-0

Junior Pat Brady returned to the mound for the Rangers and he did not disappoint. Brady went six and a third innings, striking out ten and only allowing two hits. Jake Fults came in to get the last two outs and struck out both batters. The Rangers got on the board early, scoring a run in both the first and second inning. After that the Rangers bats went cold and they didn’t score for the rest of the game. The combo of some great situational hitting and smooth defensive plays propelled the boys to victory. Lead off Braxton Barber went three for three. Sophomore Charlie Wilson went deep in the second inning with a solo shot to right center. At the end of day two, the Rangers kept their perfect record. 

“The team is gelling nicely and we hope to have a big year!”  – Jake Fults 

Saturday 2/24/24 Game 1: Lake Ridge 

Jesuit Wins 9-4

Early Saturday morning, the Rangers faced the biggest threat to their perfect record so far. The Lake Ridge Eagles were highly touted and ranked one of the top teams in the state. Senior Joe Allen took the tall task of shutting down the high power offense as he took the ball for the game. After a tense first inning and Lake Ridge scoring a run, Allen locked in, going the remaining five innings scoreless and punching out nine, keeping their bats at bay. Then once again, Jake Fults came in to close out the game after three runs put up against the Rangers in the seventh. The energy was high in the dugout and the Rangers once again exploded in the second inning scoring in chunks. They scored four runs in both the second inning and the sixth inning as well as one in the 5th. Braxton Barber, Taylor Haddock, James Jorgenson, and Charlie Wilson all  tallied two hits. The Rangers took advantage of their first big opportunity to make a statement and prevailed nine to four.

Saturday 2/24/24 Game 2: Duncanville  

Jesuit Wins 5-4

With only one more game standing between them and an undefeated start, the Rangers faced off against the hosting team, Duncanville. Senior Jaxx Rigelsky took the mound and shoved six innings, punching out nine batters. Yet, a plethora of errors and defensive mistakes plagued the Rangers in the fourth inning, allowing Duncanville to score four runs and take the lead. Bradyen Montes came into close, going one, two, three in the seventh. The steady supply of runs kept the Rangers in it. Sophomore Shane Parker swatted two hits and also scored twice. With only five hits, the Rangers scratched two runs across when it mattered, winning five to four in a tight game. 

“We really grinded it out for that last win. We didn’t just lay down” – Jaxx Rigelsky

The Rangers will take on Anna at Wright Field on Thursday, February 29th. The Rangers host a weekend tournament at home so come out to the field and support them!

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