The Highland Park Scots forced a decisive game three in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) 6A Region II Quarterfinal round, defeating Jesuit Dallas, 4-2, in eight innings in front of a passionate, standing room only crowd on Friday evening at Wright Field.

Jesuit Dallas (30-7-2) was held to only five hits on the evening, hits recorded by seniors Kyle Muller, Pete Hamrick, Bryce Bonner, Jared Kengott and Connor Lynch.  Kengott added a sacrifice fly RBI in the bottom of the seventh, forcing the contest into extra innings.  Junior Mark Ready logged an RBI in the eighth on a bases loaded groundout.

On the mound, Kyle Muller threw seven innings of three-hit ball, allowing three runs and striking out 10.  Throughout the playoffs, Muller has recorded 40 total strikeouts on three consecutive double-digit strikeout performances.  Junior JJ Montenegro pitched in extra innings, allowing two runs on two hits.

The Rangers were held in check by Scots pitcher Sawyer Lake, who finished the evening with six innings pitched, four hits and an earned run.  In the eighth inning, Highland Park cleanup hitter William Wessman cracked a double down the left field line to score two runs, breaking the 1-1 tie.

Hamrick led off the contest with a two-out single to center, but the Rangers were unable to get a run across early in the contest. Muller and Lake battled in a spectacular pitcher's duel, with neither pitcher facing a runner in scoring position until the bottom of the fourth. 

In the Jesuit fourth, Muller reached on a Highland Park error, and junior pinch runner Maccoy Lopez to second on a sacrifice bunt by Hamrick.  With a runner in scoring position and one out, the Rangers were unable to bring Lopez home, setting the stage for the Scots fifth.  Highland Park would capitalize on a hit by pitch, recording a pair of singles and a fielder's choice to bring home the first run of the ballgame.

Jesuit placed runners in scoring position in both the fifth and sixth innings, but could not cash in, forcing the Blue and Gold to score in the seventh to avoid a possible game three.  Ready walked to lead off the inning, advanced to second on a wild pitch, then reached third on a sacrifice bunt by senior Matt Horvath. 

Kengott took a 2-2 pitch to left, caught at the warning track to score Ready and tie the game at 1-1.  Jesuit placed runners at the corners with two out, but could not get the series-ending run across.

Highland Park struck for three runs on two hits in the eighth, forcing the Rangers to make one final comeback attempt.  Hamrick reached on a fielder's choice before a double by Bonner put two runners in scoring position.  After a walk to senior Jared Bond loaded the bases, Ready hit a dribbler to the Scots' pitcher for the second out of the inning while scoring senior Chris Campagna.  Highland Park relief pitcher Grant Howell was able to get the final out of the inning, forcing a decisive game three.

On Saturday, Prosper High School will host the winner-take-all game three between the Rangers and Scots.  First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.