The Rex brings the great American passtime back to Terre Haute

 For the first time in 54 years, organized baseball was back in Terre Haute as the Rex debuted with a 3-hour and 40 minute marathon loss against the Springfield Sliders, falling 5-2 in 10 innings on June 3.

Even with a torrential downpour a half hour before the game, over 1,300 fans stuck around to support the newest addition to the Prospect League, a league that is comprised of college players using wooden bats and gaining extra workouts for the summer.

The Rex struck first in the top of the third inning after centerfielder Nolan Earley recorded the first official Rex hit when he laced a triple to right-center, followed by designated hitter Jase Morgan knocking him two batters later to take the first 1-0.

The Rex held the lead until the sixth when Springfield’s Trevor Willis led off with a triple and scored when Ryan Williams grounded into a fielder’s choice. The Sliders would break the 1-1 tie the following inning on a sacrifice fly.

With a tight pitching match, the score remained 2-1 leading into the bottom of the ninth with the Rex down to its last at-bat.

Shortstop Ray Hernandez led the inning off with a single, followed by the next two batters reaching base on a walk and error. With two out, Morgan walked with the bases loaded, forcing the tying run in. However, the Rex couldn’t plate the game-winning run, as Alex DeLeon struck out to end the rally.

With a 2-2 tie in the top of the tenth, the Sliders jumped on the Rex pitching from the start, loading the bases with the first three batters. Third baseman Cameron Perkins knocked in two runners with a single and an insurance run was added on by a Josh Camalick groundout that allowed the runner on third to score.

With a 5-2 lead, the Sliders’ (1-0) pitching was able to stop another Rex (0-1) rally in the bottom of the tenth and record their first win of the season.

Although the Rex lost the home debut, the electric crowd remained and gave the team a standing ovation as the two teams shook hands, congratulating one another for the hard-fought contest.

“It was a great success tonight,” Rex General Manager Roland Shelton said following the game. “The crowd was awesome, and I think the players and staff made it a great experience. Even the fireworks were pretty good. Outside a loss, it was a good night.”

The Rex will play 27 more home games this season at Bob Warn Field. Tickets are just $5 for general admission. Games played Monday-Saturday will start at 7 p.m. and Sunday games will start at 2 p.m. For any questions or ticket inquires, visit the Rex’s Web site www.threxbaseball.com.