REX Drop Tight One in Normal Despite Strong Pitching Performance

After a tough loss the night before, REX looked to close out their road trip on a high note as they traveled to Normal to face the CornBelters.

REX got on the board early in the top of the first. Gio Mendoza led off with a walk and later came around to score on a lineout RBI to left by Gabe Wright, giving REX a 1–0 lead despite not recording a hit in the inning.

Normal evened things up in the bottom of the fourth when Jackson Smith launched a solo home run to right field, making it 1–1.

The Cornbelters broke the tie in the seventh. An error at third base allowed Jack Novak to score, and later in the inning, Ryan Colucci doubled down the first base line to bring in another unearned run and give Normal a 3–1 lead.

REX struggled at the plate, with Ben Jones breaking up the no-hitter in the top of the seventh for the team’s first hit of the night.

 Samuel Guadamuz was outstanding on the mound, going 6.2 innings, striking out 10, and allowing just one earned run. Despite his dominant performance, he was tagged with a tough-luck loss.

Normal was able to hold it from there, winning the contest 3-1

REX falls to 3-6 on the season

Normal are now 4-5.

REX returns home to Bob Warn Field on Friday, June 6th, to take on the Thrillville Thrillbilles at 6:35 EDT. Join us for Pacers Night, and after the game, kids can run the bases.