Academy Notebook: Elyjah Anderson & Trenity Okedele win Rangers Nike RBI scholarships; Youth Academy All-Star Week recap; Rangers RBI summer season concludes

Elyjah Anderson & Trenity Okedele win 2023 Rangers Nike RBI scholarships, presented by Nathaniel Lowe

Class of 2023 graduates and Texas Rangers Nike RBI athletes Elyjah Anderson and Trenity Okedele were named recipients of the Rangers Nike RBI scholarships, presented by Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe.

Anderson, a Hillcrest Collegiate Academy graduate and Okedele, a Dallas Christian High School graduate, will partake in a pre-game ceremony with Lowe before the Rangers-Guardians game at Globe Life Field on Sunday, July 16, where they'll toss a dual ceremonial first pitch.

The Rangers Nike RBI Scholarship Advisory Committee reviewed the record number of applications and selected recipients based on several criteria, including the contents of the submitted written materials, overall academic achievement and financial need.

The $5,000 scholarships were designed to support Rangers Nike RBI student-athletes who will not receive a full athletic scholarship but possess a desire to continue their academic education.

Anderson and Okedele will go on to further their education and play collegiate ball at Arcadia University and Dillard University, respectively.

Texas Rangers Youth Academy All-Star recap

The Texas Rangers Youth Academy has returned from a successful trip to Seattle, Wash., as part of MLB All-Star Week.

The Rangers All-Star Commissioner’s Cup team advanced to the championship game for the first time in Academy history after finishing pool play 3-1 but settled for second place, losing 7-6 to the MLB New Orleans Youth Academy.

Luis Cruz and Jason Flores led the Rangers on offense throughout the tournament with a .714 and .600 batting average, respectively, while also working seven walks and one stolen base a piece.

Kaleb Thompkins had the strongest individual pitching performance of the weekend, throwing a complete game no-hitter with 10 strikeouts in the Rangers' 3-0 loss to the Seattle Mariners. Outfielder and catcher Esteban Toscano was the Rangers’ defensive player of the tournament, with one outfield assist and two assists behind the plate.

On the softball side, the Rangers’ Jennie Finch Classic All-Stars finished pool play with an even 2-2 record. The team posted two big wins topping the DREAM 15-2 and regional rivals the Houston Astros Youth Academy 13-6.

Also during All-Star Week, three Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes competed in the Jr. Home Run Derby National Finals at T-Mobile Park, where Amira Forbit was crowned champion of the 14U softball division after launching 13 home runs.

Additionally, Louisiana State University commit David Hogg II participated in last Friday’s MLB/USA Baseball High School All-American Game, where he saw three innings of action.

Rangers Nike RBI baseball & softball season championship results

The Rangers Nike RBI baseball and softball summer seasons have officially concluded, with four new champions crowned in 2023.

The RoughRiders, who led division standings throughout the season, took home the senior baseball championship title over the Wood Ducks.

In the senior softball division, the Wood Ducks took home the championship trophy for the first time under the leadership of Rangers All-Star softball coaches MacKenzie Velasquez and Gigi Garcia.

This summer also marked the first Rangers Nike RBI season in which the junior softball division played a championship game. The Express took home the title of inaugural champs in their win over the West Dallas Pride.

The junior baseball championship game on Wednesday, July 12, marked the official conclusion of the Rangers Nike RBI season, with the Seahawks besting the Jaguars for their second consecutive championship-winning season.

The RoughRiders, Wood Ducks, Express and Seahawks will all be recognized during a pre-game parade on July 16 as part of RBI Day at Globe Life Field.