Well REX fans, the team is still trying to figure this season out. Over the past week and a half the REX went 2-6. Still, despite the struggle the REX were able to put together their fifth walk-off win of the year.
The REX started the week off on June 26 with a double-header against the struggling West Virginia Miners at Bob Warn Field. These were two seven inning games. The first game went the REX’s way. Both teams scored in the first. The REX run came on a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Austin Weiler that scored center fielder Justin Jenkins. In the bottom of the second, right fielder AJ Fritz was also able to score a run. In the top of the fourth the Miners tied it up. In the bottom of the fourth though, the REX took the lead for good. Fritz was able to score again, this time on a RBI by second baseman Will Hayes. Hayes was able to reach first on a fielder’s choice. Hayes went on to score later in the inning on a single by left fielder Mitchell Garrity. The Miners were unable to put another run on the board and lost to the REX 4-2. The winning pitcher for the REX was Foster Anshutz with pitcher Colten Panaranto getting the save.
The second game of the double-header did not go as well for the REX. In the top of the third inning the Miners were able to put up four runs against REX pitcher Max Klein. The REX were able to respond in the bottom of the inning. Third baseman Brendan Sher and shortstop Cole Albers each scored on a two RBI single by catcher Braydon Frazier cutting the score to 4-2. The Miners then went on to score seven more runs through the fourth to seventh innings before the REX were able to respond. The REX have been known for their comebacks this season and it was starting to look as if they were going to pull it off again. Designated hitter Jacob Mulcahy scored first in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI single by Sher. Garrity scored next when Frazier was walked with the bases loaded. Left fielder Aaron Beck then hit a two RBI single that scored Sher and Albers. Center fielder Carter Bridge followed that up with an RBI single that scored Frazier. Next, Beck was able to score on an RBI by second baseman Ross Indlecoffer. Unfortunately, on that play, Indlecoffer also hit into a double play. The REX were down 11-8 with one out left and no one on base. First baseman Austin Weiler came to the plate. Weiler had been known the previous season for his late game heroics, but that was not going to be the case tonight as the Miners’ pitcher Tyler Baca struck Weiler out and secured the save. The losing pitcher for the REX was Klein.
On June 27 the REX played their final game of the series with the Miners. It was another close one! The REX did damage first as shortstop Sher scored on a passed ball by the Miners’ catcher. The Miners were able to respond and tie the game in the top of the fourth. In the bottom of the fourth the REX put up another run when Sher went yard with his first home run of the season! The Miners had themselves an offensive inning in the top of the sixth inning when they scored six runs giving themselves a 7-2 lead. That did not last long though as the REX were able to respond in the bottom of the same inning. Designated hitter Indlecoffer started it off when he scored on a sacrifice fly by Sher. Then catcher Jake McCleary jacked a three-run home run that scored first baseman Weiler and third baseman Mulcahy. Second baseman Ethan Hunter was able to score when center fielder Jenkins was struck out, but the Miners’ catcher dropped the strike! The game was tied after six innings. Unfortunately for the REX, they were unable to muster another run. The Miners put up two more in the ninth inning and the REX fell to the Miners 9-7 and lost the series. The losing pitcher for the REX was Jacob Frankel.
The next game against the Chillicothe Paints, on June 28, was quite the thrill for REX Nation. The game at Bob Warn Field was tedious and hard to watch for REX fans in the beginning as the Paints’ Pitcher Taylor Perrett threw a no hitter through the first seven innings. The Paints led the REX 5-0 going into the bottom of the eighth. If you were at the game that night I really hope you did not leave early (I am looking at you dad). Right fielder Bridge started the REX off by scoring on an RBI single by shortstop Albers. Left fielder Jake Armentrout scored next on an RBI single by second baseman Hayes. The new Paints pitcher, Cal McAninch, balked which advanced Hayes to second base and Albers to third. Albers then scored on a sacrifice fly by center fielder Jenkins while Hayes was able to move over to third. That’s when Hayes was able to do something that is not often done in baseball. He stole home! Yes, you read that right. The speedy second baseman was able to steal home and bring the REX back within one! They were only trailing 5-4 now. Designated hitter Weiler then came up to the plate and knocked in first baseman Indlecoffer. The REX were going into the final inning all tied up. The Paints were unable to score in the top of the ninth and left it tied at 5-5. The game was primed for another REX walk-off and that was exactly what happened! Bridge scored on a single by Albers and the REX walked it off for the fifth time this season! The winning pitcher for the REX was Luke Lancaster.
The REX then went to Chillicothe to play two more games against the Paints. It was a rough two days in Ohio. The REX lost the first game on June 29 by a score of 9-5. The Paints put up six runs in the first two innings and the REX were never truly able to recover. In the top of the third, first baseman Indlecoffer scored on an RBI single by catcher Brett McCleary. The REX put another run on the board in the top of the fifth when Indlecoffer scored again, but this time on an RBI single by designated hitter Weiler. The REX did their best to put some pressure on the Paints by scoring three runs in the top of the seventh. Indlecoffer scored for the third time on a single by third baseman Mulcahy and right fielder Bridge was able to smack a two RBI single to center field that scored both Weiler and Mulcahy. The Paints responded in the bottom of the eighth with three more runs and put the game out of reach for the REX. The REX came up with nothing in the ninth and lost to the Paints. The losing pitcher for the REX was Blayke Cutts.
June 30 went even worse for the REX in Chillicothe. The REX were completely shut out as they lost to the Paints 5-0. The losing pitcher for the REX was Kaleb Huxford.
On Monday, July 1 the REX were back in action at Bob Warn Field against the Danville Dans and tried to have themselves another comeback walk-off. The REX took an early lead against the Dans when catcher McCleary scored on a sacrifice by second baseman Bridge in the bottom of the second. The Dans tied it up in the top of the fourth at 1-1. In the bottom of the fifth, center fielder Jenkins was able to score on a passed ball by the Dans’ catcher. Designated hitter Indlecoffer was then able to score on a double by first baseman Mulcahy giving the REX a 3-2 lead heading into the sixth inning. The Dans responded with fury in the top of the sixth as they were able to rattle off six runs against the REX pitching. The Dans then went on to score two more in the eighth and were leading 9-3. The REX were not done fighting yet though! Third baseman Sher scored on a sacrifice by shortstop Hunter. Right fielder Beck then scored on an RBI by Jenkins. Bridge then scored on a wild pitch bring the score to 9-6. Next, Mulcahy hit an RBI single that brought left fielder Garrity home. McCleary stepped up to bat and then on two separate wild pitches Indlecoffer and Mulcahy were able to score which tied the game. The REX went into the ninth inning tied at 9-9. Would another walk-off be in the work for the REX? It seemed as if there was a chance! That was until Dans’ third baseman Max Jung Goldberg stepped up to the plate. The 6’0” and 195 pound freshman hit his fourth dinger of the season and gave the Dans a 10-9 lead going into the bottom of the ninth. There would be no walk-off tonight though as the REX went three up and three down. The REX lost 10-9 and the losing pitcher for the REX was Colten Panaranto.
The REX continued their struggles as they took on the best team in the Prospect League for a second night in a row. The Dans scored nine runs through the first seven innings with no response for the REX. The REX finally got on the board in the top of the eighth when center fielder Bridge scored on a single by right fielder Beck. Beck and second baseman Hayes followed that up by scoring on a two RBI single by left fielder Jenkins. That is all that the REX could muster though as the Dans scored another run in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Dans defeated the REX 10-3 and the REX fell to 12-17 on the season.
The REX may be stumbling a bit right now #REXNation, but they are providing some very interesting and entertaining games for the fans! Make sure to come out to the game tonight, July 3, against the Springfield Sliders at 7:05 pm EST at Bob Warn Field to help the REX turn their season around! We cannot do it without you! The Terre Haute Native and Super Bowl winning Patriots Quarterback Danny Etling will also be at the game tonight to throw out the first pitch. He will be taking pictures, signing autographs and showing off his Super Bowl ring! We look forward to seeing you there tonight REX Fans!