Jesuit Dallas split the first day of the Five Tool Festival, held on Thursday afternoon at Wright Field. The Rangers dropped an 8-4 decision to Magnolia Heights (Miss.) in the tournament opener before recording a stunning comeback in the nightcap, upending state-ranked No. 10 Dripping Springs, 6-5.
 
Senior E'mar Fleming II launched a long ball in the tournament opener against Magnolia Heights, but a four-run first inning followed by a three-run second inning was enough to push the Chiefs past the Rangers. Senior Asher Levy struck out two batters over five innings of work, junior Taylor Haddock hit a double as the Rangers finished the contest with four runs on six hits.
 
In the nightcap against the Tigers, Fleming went deep for his second home run of the day to help pace the Rangers' offense against the heavily touted Dripping Springs pitching lineup. Fleming's first inning bomb cut the Tigers' lead in half before the Rangers faced a three-run deficit in the bottom of the third. Back-to-back singles by junior Shane Parker and senior Jake Fults got the Ranger rally going before Fleming singled on a fly ball to right, plating Parker and cutting the lead town to two. 
 
A walk to Haddock loaded the bases before sophomore Roman Derichsweiler drove in Fults with a single to left. Senior Brooks Kowal forced a bases-loaded walk to plate Fleming and tie the game at 5-5 heading into the fourth. In the fourth, junior Braxton Barber was able to score off of a bunt by Haddock, spotting Jesuit a one-run advantage that held until the two-hour time limit. Freshman Jack Lattanzio earned the win on the mound, throwing six innings and striking out three batters.
 
Jesuit will return to action at the Five Tool Festival on Friday, opening against West Monroe (La.) at 1 p.m. before battling Kamehameha at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Jesuit will conclude the tournament with matchups against Maryknoll (10 a.m.) and Frenship (12:30 p.m.).