Jesuit Dallas returns to Wright Field for the first time since 2016 on Thursday, Mar. 2, hosting Denton at 2 p.m. to begin the 2017 Jesuit Dallas Baseball Classic, a three-day tournament lasting until Saturday, Mar. 4 with games taking place at Wright Field, John Paul II and Rockwall H.S.
 
Impressive Mound Performances Vault Rangers to Weekend Split
The Rangers finished the Cen-Tex Tournament in Austin, Texas last weekend with a 3-3 record, sweeping MacArthur and Westlake, 10-0 and 11-4, respectively, to finish the trip with wins during three of their final four games. Senior Miles Okamoto threw a no-hitter in his first career start, starting Jesuit's two-game, Saturday sweep with the victory over MacArthur. Okamoto utilized his slider to great success, facing 16 batters and forcing 10 groundouts. Junior Tyler Murrah earned the decision in Jesuit's first win of the year, a 4-3 decision over Houston Christian, striking out five and only allowing two earned runs on six hits during a complete game effort. Senior Heath VanKirk finished Jesuit's run with his first win of the year against Westlake, striking out two batters in a complete game performance.
 
Saturday Slugfest
Jesuit racked up 21 runs over two games to close the Cen-Tex Tournament, due in large part to some eyebrow-raising performances from varsity newcomers. Sophomore Jaden Woodson scattered four hits over the two games, slugging 1.500 with two triples and driving in six runs. Senior John Guzman hit a three-run, inside-the-park home run against MacArthur, while Will Guzman added two runs and a double, driving in a pair of runs. In total, Jesuit racked up 21 hits on Saturday, including seven extra-base hits, earning a 52.3 on-base percentage and converting five of six steal attempts.
 
Scouting Denton
The Broncos are currently 1-2, and have yet to play in a game decided by more than one run. On Feb. 23, Denton fell to Saginaw, 3-2, dropping a 6-5 decision to Burleson the following day. Denton's first win of the season game on Feb. 25, a 4-3 triumph over Seguin. In 2016, Denton procured an 11-20-1 record, falling to eventual University Interscholastic League (UIL) 5A Baseball State Champion Grapevine in the bi-district round, and return two UIL 5-5A All-District selections in right-handed pitcher Raine Richter and second team designee Wyatt Folsom.
 
Scouting Lovejoy
On Feb. 25, Lovejoy split a pair of contests against University Interscholastic League (UIL) District 9-6A members Lake Highlands and Coppell. The Leopards upended the Wildcats, 12-2, before falling to the Cowboys, 5-0. Matt Almy earned the win for Lovejoy against Lake Highlands, throwing two innings, allowing no runs on one hit, striking out three with no walks, adding a multi-hit outing to compliment his performance on the mound.
 
Busy Week Continues on Friday
The Jesuit Baseball Classic will continue at 2 p.m. on Friday, Mar. 3 when the Rangers take on Plano West. Currently 2-3-1 on the season, the Rangers will aim to avenge last year's 9-6, extra inning loss to the Wolves. The second day of the classic will conclude with a 7 p.m. tilt against Sherman, a team currently holding a 3-2 record which opened its season with a 21-3 win over Greenville and a 9-4 win over Sachse before being swept by McKinney North last weekend. Saturday begins with an 11 a.m. clash with Forney, a squad that finished last season 26-5-1 before falling to Prosper in the UIL 5A Area Round, closing the classic with a 4 p.m. battle against local rival Bishop Lynch.