Lake Highlands seemed poised for a monumental University Interscholastic League (UIL) District 9-6A win, carrying a one-run lead into the fifth, but Jesuit Dallas struck with three runs during the fifth and sixth innings to secure a 7-3 win over the Wildcats on Thursday at Wright Field.
 
Jesuit's No. 3 through No. 5 hitters excelled, driving in all seven runs for the Rangers (17-11, 7-3 UIL 9-6A), who have now won seven of their last eight games. Sophomore Garrett Reuben drove in three runs, going 2-for-4 from the plate, while classmate Jaden Woodson went 4-for-4, recording two RBI. Junior Bijan Kamalipour recorded a two-run double in the fifth to help the Rangers regain the lead in the fifth, while senior Mark Ready and junior Maccoy Lopez scored two runs each.
 
Junior Tyler Murrah remained undefeated on the mound this year, striking out three batters in 5.2 innings of work. Senior JJ Montenegro, Tuesday's starter, threw the final 1.1 innings, securing his first save of the year. Senior Michael Schoettmer added two hits, with classmates Alex Lengyel and Will Guzman tacking on Jesuit's final hits of the contest.
 
Murrah retired the Wildcats (6-21, 2-8) in order during the first inning, and Jesuit responded with a first inning run after a single to right center by Murrah plated Woodson, who reached base with a two-out double. Lake Highlands took the lead with a two-run double in the top of the second, holding Jesuit scoreless over the ensuing three innings.
 
Woodson singled with one out in the fifth to load the bases, and Reuben responded by beating out a potential double-play throw, scoring Ready and tying the contest at 2-2. Kamalipour laced a double to center field to drive home Reuben and Lopez, spotting Murrah a two-run advantage heading into the top of the sixth. Lake Highlands scattered a trio of hits in the inning, but Montenegro entered in relief of Murrah, allowed a single to his first batter faced, but retired the side with the lead intact.
 
Back-to-back singles by Guzman and Ready turned into a sixth-inning bases loaded situation for the Rangers after Lopez reached on a fielder's choice. Woodson cracked a single up the middle to the outer edge of the infield, scoring Ready and Lengyel before a single up the middle by Reuben plated Lopez to hand Jesuit a four-run lead. Montenegro faced a runner in scoring position in the top of the seventh, but struck out the final two batters to clinch the win.
 
Jesuit Dallas will next take part in the annual "Battle for the Saddle" series against W.T. White. Game one of the series will take place at W.T. White High School on Tuesday, Apr. 18 at 5 p.m. before Jesuit hosts the Longhorns at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Apr. 21.