Ranger Baseball Splits 2-Game Series Against Joliet Junior College
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Joliet Junior College | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
|
Ranger College | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | X | 7 | 4 | 6 |
RANGER, Texas — The Joliet Junior College Wolves baseball team, based in Joliet, Illinois, traveled to Ranger, Texas, for a two-game series against the Ranger College Rangers on Friday, March 14, 2025.
Game 1 Recap:
Joliet Junior College took an early lead when Mason Heitzler executed a sacrifice bunt to score a run. Ranger College tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the first when Andrew Perez grounded out, driving in a run. Heitzler put the Wolves back on top with a double in the top of the third, giving them a 2-1 lead.
The Rangers regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth as Thomas Barnhart and Larry Drake singled, followed by Carter Hubbard's sacrifice fly that brought in two runs.
However, the Wolves broke the game open in the top of the sixth, scoring six runs on five hits, including a grand slam by Dillon Hinojosa. Joliet took a 9-4 lead, which held through the seventh inning, securing a 9-4 victory in Game 1.
Game 2 Recap:
Larry Drake gave the Rangers an early 3-0 lead with a three-run homer to right field in the bottom of the first inning. Joliet tied the game in the top of the third, capitalizing on a Ranger error and a fielder's choice by Jaden Jackson.
The Rangers retook the lead in the bottom of the third when Jose Rodriguez was hit by a pitch, driving in a run, and Jon Artis drew a walk to make it 5-3. Tui Amosa added a run with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth, pushing the lead to 6-3. In the fifth, Rodriguez tripled and scored, extending the lead to 7-3.
Neither team scored in the sixth or seventh innings, and the Rangers held on for a 7-3 win, splitting the series with the Wolves.
Clint Burkey started Game 2 for the Rangers, allowing two hits and three runs (none earned) over five innings while striking out seven batters and walking two. Jack Nolan relieved Burkey and threw two scoreless innings, striking out three batters and allowing no hits.
Drake led the Rangers offensively with three RBIs, while Sean Gardiner, Artis, and Rodriguez each collected a hit. The Rangers also showed patience at the plate, drawing eight walks.