Behind the Plate: The Rangers Finish off the Regular Season

MacArthur Game 1- 4/21/23

Senior Luke Isett took the mound on Senior Night and it was a night to remember for the Ranger ace. Isett yet again went the distance, throwing a complete game no-hitter! He walked two and struck out seven batters. The Ranger offense only notched three hits, but scored three runs in the third inning to separate from the Cardinals. The Rangers ended up taking the win on Senior Night with a 3-0 victory. 

“It was a special night and I really enjoyed pitching well with my senior brothers behind me.” -Luke Isett ’23

MacArthur Game 2- 4/22/23:

After a long week of games, the Rangers went on the road on an early Saturday game for game two. Junior Joe Allen made his return to the mound after battling some injury after game one of the JJ Pearce series. Allen only went one and two-thirds innings, allowing four hits, one walk, and three earned runs. Senior Jack Barr took over and pitched the remainder of the game, allowing four runs and striking out four. Two costly errors cost the Rangers three additional runs. The Rangers offense had ten hits on the day with Senior Nick Barber having a multi-hit day. The Ranger made a late-game push to take back the lead but fell short in a disappointing loss 5-6. 

Richardson Game 1- 4/25/23:

Looking to get back on track after the loss, the Rangers travel to Richardson High School to take on the Eagles. Sophomore Dillon Brandt took the bump and it was a big statement by the sophomore. Brandt threw a no-complete game no-hitter, completely dominating, striking out eight and not walking anyone. The Rangers had six hits and freshman James Jorgenson had a multi-hit game with a single and a double. The Ranger got started quickly, scoring three runs in the first inning. Jesuit ended up winning 5-0.

Richardson Game 2- 4/28/23:

On a rainy Friday night storms blew in and many thought that there would be no baseball. Yet through the delays and drizzle, the boys were out there matching up against Richardson for the second time. Senior Luke Isett pitched, throwing a shutout six innings with only two bloop hits, striking out eleven batters. Senior Preston Payne came in relief and Richardson put something together. Then Junior Jaxx Rigelsky came in and got the save pitching two-thirds of an inning. The Rangers had a big second inning putting up seven runs. Freshman Braxton Barber had a multi-hit game. The Rangers persist and after five hours finished the game in a 7-3 win.

“Its tough having to prepare to pitch serval times just to get delayed again and again. It just not the ideal situation but we worked through it and got the W.” – Luke Isett ’23

District Tiebreaker JJ Pearce- 4/29/23

To end their district run, the Rangers had to face JJ Pearce once again in a winner-take-all district tiebreaker at a neutral site Scotland Yard midday Saturday.

Sophomore Dillon Brandt got the ball for a play-off-like game, with fans filling the stands. The Rangers took an early one-run lead, when Junior Tristen Bird hit a two-out single scoring a runner from third. Pearce responded with a run of their own in the third, tying the score up until the top of the fifth inning. Jesuit put up a three-run spot via RBIs by sophomore Fulton Lawrence, senior Nick Barber, and sophomore Jake Fults. But Pearce wouldn’t go away as a pitch hitter for the Mustangs hit a solo shot to make Jesuit lead only two.

Then Pearce put up two unanswered runs in the sixth via the long ball again, and with a walk-off double in a runner on second, Pearce beat the Rangers in a thrilling game 4-5. Brandt went the distance, only throwing eighty-one pitches in seven innings striking out four, walking three, and giving up five earned runs on seven hits. The Rangers offense had six hits of their own, led by a two-for-three day by Jake Fults. With the loss Rangers fall to second in district. 

“Even though we lost, it was a good game to prepare for a playoff like atmosphere so we’ll be ready next week.” – Nick Barber ’23

The Rangers take on Arlington Lamer at away on Thursday, May 4th, and then at home on Friday the 5th for the first round of playoffs. Stay tuned for The Roundup‘s weekly baseball reports and other sports news!

“Lets ride!” -Fulton Lawrence ’25