REX Notch First Win, Top Aviators 4–2 in "King of the Wabash" Opener

REX hit the road Tuesday night for a rivalry showdown at Loeb Stadium in Lafayette, Indiana, taking on the Aviators in the opening game of the Ruoff Mortgage “King of the Wabash” series. Lafayette entered the contest 1–0, while the REX were looking to bounce back after a tough extra-inning loss on Opening Night.

The visitors wasted no time getting on the board. In the top of the second inning, with two outs, left fielder Ben Jones—making his season debut—roped an RBI double down the right field line to bring home first baseman Wally Diaz and giving REX an early 1–0 lead.

Diaz made noise again in the top of the fourth, crushing his first home run of the season—a two-run opposite-field shot—to extend REX’s lead to 3–0.

On the mound, REX’s starting pitcher Derron Swanson was electric. The right-hander tossed four no-hit innings, struck out four, and kept the Aviators off balance early. He picked up his first win of the season

Lafayette finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth. With two on and two out, right fielder Noah Rice lined a two-RBI triple into the gap for his first hit of the season, trimming REX’s lead to 3–2. Despite the swing, REX remained in control, out-hitting the Aviators 8–1 through five innings.

REX responded in the top of the eighth. Felix Polanco led off the inning with a double, and back-to-back walks loaded the bases for Diaz with no outs. Diaz grounded into a double play, but the insurance run crossed the plate to stretch the lead to 4–2 heading into the bottom half.

Right-hander Micha Vessely shut the door in the late innings, striking out three and not allowing a hit to secure the REX’s first win of the season.

Diaz led the charge offensively, finishing 2-for-4 with two runs, two RBIs, and the team’s first home run of the season.

Aviators’ starter Chase Wagner went six innings, allowing six hits, three earned runs, and striking out four. 

Final Line:REX – 4 runs, 10 hits, 0 errors (1–1)Aviators – 2 runs, 3 hits, 1 error (1–1)

REX’s road trip continues Thursday, May 29, as they head to Ohio to take on the Chillicothe Paints. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. EDT.