Academy Notebook: Rangers Youth Academy, Buckner International and Comerica Bank partner to host Back to School distribution event

Back to School distribution at the Youth Academy

On Thursday, July 29, the Texas Rangers Youth Academy is partnering with Comerica Bank and Buckner International for the fourth annual Back to School Backpack Distribution.

During this year’s drive-thru event, 400 free backpacks will be distributed to West Dallas students, exceeding the 300 backpacks distributed in 2020. Additionally, Rangers Youth Academy partner Buckner International will be distributing 200 free pairs of shoes to students attending the event.

Invitations for Thursday's event have been sent to Academy participants and local youth throughout the area. Backpacks will be packed with necessary supplies to get kids ready for the upcoming school year, and various styles and sizes of shoes will be available.

This year’s distribution will begin at 5 p.m. in the Oates Field parking lot at the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street, presented by Toyota. Backpacks and shoes will only be available to those who have been pre-selected to attend the event via invitation.

Texas Rangers Youth Academy produces 15 College signees

A few weeks ago, on June 13, the Texas Rangers Youth Academy hosted the 2021 college signing day event for a dozen graduating athletes who will play baseball and softball at the collegiate level. Since then, three additional athletes have also signed their National Letters of Intent to play at the next level.

Miranda Lopez, a 2021 graduate from Woodrow Wilson High School, will continue her softball career at Ranger College. In 2020, Lopez suffered a season-ending knee injury but has successfully proven it did not hold her back. Her skills impressed Ranger College, so much so that she will be joining the team as an outfielder and first baseman come fall.

Pitcher and DeSoto High School graduate James Malone also signed to play at the collegiate level for Western Oklahoma State College. Malone had an impressive showing on the mound, representing Rangers RBI 18U Baseball during the MLB RBI Southwest Regional Tournament, and plans to build off his momentum this fall.

Cedar Hill High School graduate Charity Vernon rounds out the final three Academy signees. Vernon will continue her work as a catcher and outfielder at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas. She showcased her talent behind the plate and in rightfield during the 2021 MLB RBI Southwest Regional Tournament when the Rangers RBI Softball team made it to the Championship Game.

With the addition of this year’s college commits, the Texas Rangers Youth Academy has been home to 40 college signees since its opening in 2018.

The full list of this year’s college signees can be found below.

MacKenzie Amaya - OF; Woodrow Wilson; Ouachita Baptist University

Dylan Byrd - OF; Cedar Hill High School; Oklahoma Christian University

Kevin Daniel Cox - 3B/P; Skyline High School; Wiley College

Matthew De Leon - SS; Skyline High School; Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Christian Jarmon - 1B/P; Cedar Hill High School; Centenary College of Louisiana

Miranda Lopez - OF/1B; Woodrow Wilson High School; Ranger College

James Malone - P; DeSoto High School; Western Oklahoma State College

James Martinez - P/1B; Skyline High School; Wiley College

Nick Mooney - P/OF; Frisco Memorial High School; Wiley College

Ariana Ortiz - 3B; Molina High School; Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Hannah Pacheco - C/3B; Cedar Hill High School; Trinity Valley Community College

Dodge Suprun - P; The Science and Engineering Magnet; City College of New York

Dominic Swann - SS/2B; McKinney High School; Wiley College

Adrian Vargas - C/P; Skyline High School; Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Charity Vernon - C/OF; Cedar Hill High School; Navarro College

Rangers RBI resumes with postseason play

After a brief recess during the RBI Southwest Regional Tournament, the Rangers RBI League resumed Tuesday, July 13, wrapping up the regular season and transitioning into post-season play.

Last weekend, the Rangers RBI softball season concluded with a Bulldogs vs. Gophers matchup in the Championship Game. The Bulldogs fought their way to the semi-final game, where they beat the Express 10-2, advancing to the finals. The Gophers dominated the home team Raiders with a 13-1 win in the semi-final game, punching their own ticket to the finals. On Saturday, July 17, the Gophers secured an 8-0 victory, becoming the Rangers RBI Softball Champions for the second consecutive year.

Last night, on Thursday, July 22, the Rangers RBI Senior Baseball Champion was crowned. Two division leaders, the Hard Hitters and Vikings, battled it out on Oates Field. The Vikings had an offensive explosion winning the Championship Game, 11-1, for an RBI Regional Championship three-peat. The Vikings’ Zeke Velazquez hit a three-run homer and winning pitcher John Sanchez had 6 K in 4 IP. The Hard Hitters lone run scored was a solo shot from shortstop and pitcher Noah Rineer.

Next week the Rangers RBI season will officially conclude with the Junior Baseball Championship Game on Wednesday, July 28 at 7 p.m.

Texas Ranger RBI League postseason schedule