The REX had lost five in a row going into last night’s matchup with the Springfield Sliders. The Sliders, on the other hand were 12-7 and leading the Prairie Land Division. The Sliders are trying to fend off the O’Fallon Hoots in the battle for first place of the division while the REX are trying not to drop to the bottom of the Wabash River Division. US Olympic Gold Medalist Dr. Greg Bell, a Terre Haute Native, threw out the first pitch of the game.
The Sliders got off to a hot start against Wabash Valley’s Own. They got three runs in the top of the first. Then Sliders’ pitcher Dylan De Leon went to work beginning a complete game. He had a perfect game going through five innings before the REX were able to break it up. Catcher Canton Terry stopped the perfect game in its tracks when he hit a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth. The Sliders had two cross the plate in that inning as well to give them a 5-1 lead after six.
First baseman Rob Weissheier continued his dominance at the plate with a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to get another run back for the REX. In the top of the eighth, the Sliders hit a two-run shot to take the lead to 7-2. In the bottom half of the eighth, Terry scored center fielder Tyler Nelson on a double. Then Terry scored as well on a single by shortstop Kody Putnam. After eight innings the REX trailed the Sliders 7-4. Weissheier hit another home run to left field. This one was a rocket that almost tore through the banners in the outfield. Weissheier is now tied for the lead in home runs in the Prospect League with seven. He is also top 10 in batting average - hitting .397. However, his home run would be the only run the REX could get across home plate as they fell to the Sliders 7-5.
The REX are home again today for American Heart Association Night at 6:30 PM EST to take on the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp.