Despite a six-run rally in the seventh inning, the Jesuit Dallas baseball squad dropped the opening contest of the University Interscholastic League (UIL) 6A Area Round Series, 13-6, to Belton on Friday evening at Wright Field.

The Rangers (27-6-2) saw a nine-game winning streak snapped by an aggressive Tiger offense.  Belton (21-10) scored six runs in the first three innings to take a large, game-opening lead, adding on five insurance runs in the seventh that proved vital after Jesuit's seventh-run rally.

Junior Mark Ready went 2-for-4, launching a two-run triple in the seventh to slice into the Belton lead.  The Rangers were patient at the plate, forcing eight total walks, but were held to only seven hits, three of which came in the seventh.  Seniors Jared Bond, Chris Campagna, Matt Horvath and Connor Lynch each recorded a hit alongside junior Will Guzman, while fourth years Kyle Muller, Bryce Bonner, Bond and Campagna each drove in a run.

Jesuit Dallas junior Heath Vankirk struck out five batters in relief, throwing three innings, allowing three runs and two earned on four hits.  Classmate JJ Montenegro started the game on the mound for Jesuit, striking out four but allowing the six early Belton runs, three earned, during his time on the rubber.

Belton started the scoring with a wild pitch in the first before Collin Mask launched a statement-making, three-run home run in the second.  Miguel Quinones followed with a two-run shot in the third to increase the Tiger lead to six.  Belton tacked on runs in the fourth and sixth before plating five runs on one hit in the seventh, taking a 13-0 lead into the bottom of the frame.

Lead-off walks to senior Pete Hamrick and Bonner set the stage for a Bond RBI double to right center, followed by a single to second by Campagna to score the Rangers' first two runs of the ballgame.  Ready took a 3-1 pitch to deep center field, past the outstretched glove of the Tigers' outfielder to score two more runs and reduce the lead to nine.

A hit by pitch and walk loaded the bases for Muller, who missed a grand slam by mere feet but brought home Ready on a sacrifice fly.  Jesuit's final run was scored on a bases loaded walk to Bonner before the rally was ended on a strikeout.

The Rangers will look to keep their season alive on Saturday, needing to win both games of the impending doubleheader to advance to the next round.  In order to avoid the impending inclement weather, game two of the series will take place at 1 p.m., two hours earlier than the originally scheduled time, with a possible game three starting 30 minutes after the conclusion of game two.