REX Fall in Extras as Prospect League Season Kicks Off in Danville

The 2025 Prospect League season got underway Tuesday night with REX baseball hitting the road, traveling just over an hour north to square off against the Danville Dans in a tightly contested season opener.

REX struck first in the top of the third inning.  Second baseman, Carder Reich, was hit by a pitch to reach first and later advanced to second on a passed ball. Outfielder, Andrew Carter, then ripped a clutch RBI triple, bringing Reich home for the team’s first run of the season.

In the top of the sixth, REX added to their lead thanks to some heads-up base running from third baseman Felix Polanco. After singling, Polanco stole both second and third in the same at-bat before being driven in by Eli Reily, who notched his first RBI of the year with a sharp single to make it 2–0.

It was a night dominated by pitching, with both teams combining for 26 strikeouts in what turned into a classic early-season duel on the mound.

REX starter Landen Ray dazzled in his season debut, tossing five scoreless innings while striking out seven and allowing just two hits. Logan Medsker kept the momentum going, firing two no-hit innings in relief and striking out three.

Danville starter, Hayden Trier, held his own, going six innings and surrendering two runs (one earned) on five strikeouts. Once the Dans turned to the bullpen, the REX bats cooled off. Theo Nagy and Antony Pesci were lights out, each tossing two no-hit innings. Nagy struck out four, while Pesci fanned three.

The Dans, who had been held silent since the fifth, found life in the bottom of the eighth. With two outs, shortstop Mason McCue worked a walk, and left field, Dalton Hobick, was hit by a pitch to give Danville its first baserunners in three innings. Third baseman, Conner Barth, delivered with an RBI single to drive in the team’s first run of the season. Moments later, Hobick raced home on a passed ball to tie the game at 2–2.

After a scoreless ninth, the game moved into extras.

REX couldn’t capitalize in the top of the 10th, stranding their automatic runner at second. In the bottom half, a passed ball allowed Kyle Campbell to move up to third, and he came home just one batter later, scoring the walk-off run and handing the REX a tough 3–2 extra-inning loss to open the season.

Pesci got his first pitching win of the season for Danville, while Micah Vessely was handed the loss.

The REX will be back in action on Wednesday, May 28th to take on the Lafayette Aviators at 7pm EDT. The first home game of the season comes on June 1st. Come out to Bob Warn Field for the home opener at 4:35 pm EDT as the REX host the Dubois County Bombers.