Jesuit Dallas emerged victorious in a wild, back-and-forth affair to start the 2025 University Interscholastic League (UIL) Region I-6A Division II area round, rebounding from a fifth-inning surge from Flower Mound Marcus and scoring three runs in the eighth inning to topple the Marauders, 7-4, to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series on Thursday in Flower Mound.
 
Senior E'mar Fleming II recorded the game-winning RBI in the top of the eighth, tilting the scales in Jesuit's favor with a two-out, two-run single to break a 4-4 tie. The inning began with junior Charlie Wilson reaching first base on a one-out single before junior Braxton Barber reached after being hit by a pitch. Facing an 0-2 count, Fleming laced a line drive to center, plating Barber and Wilson to put the Rangers ahead. Junior Brooks Kowal added a critical insurance run on an infield single, scoring senior Jake Fults, who was walked earlier in the inning.
 
On the mound, senior Dillon Brandt picked up the win with four innings in relief. The University of Penn commit held the Marauders to one hit over the final four innings of the game, opening the door for the Rangers' extra-inning rally. Senior Patrick Brady started the game on the mound, throwing four innings and striking out five.
 
Fleming finished the contest 3-for-4 with five RBI, racking up a pair of doubles during the contest. Wilson went 2-for-3 with a run scored while Barber scored three of the team's even runs in the win. Jesuit opened the contest with a 2-0 lead in the first and added a run in the top of the fifth inning before Marcus took the lead with four runs in the bottom of the fifth. The Rangers manufactured a run in the top of the sixth after Barber reached on a fielder's choice and back-to-back walks to junior Shane Parker and Fults loaded the bases. Fleming launched a deep fly to center field that provided enough of an opening to bring home Barber and tie the game.
 
Game two is set for Wright Field on Friday evening as the Rangers aim to sweep the Marauders and advance to the UIL Region I-6A Division II semifinal round. The winner of this weekend's series will advance to face either El Paso Coronado or Byron Nelson in the third round. The Bobcats and Thunderbirds start their series on Friday evening in Midland, Texas.