REX split Pistol Shrimp doubleheader

Last night, the REX headed to Peru, Illinois to take on the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp for a scheduled doubleheader. The REX were looking to get back into the win column as they were on a two-game skid. The Pistol Shrimp were looking to extend their winning streak past two games.

Left fielder Alec Brunson trotting around the bases after a home run. Photo Courtesy of Brian Williams.

Game one of the doubleheader was a high scoring affair. In the top of the first inning second baseman Alec Atkinson crossed home plate on a single by first baseman Rob Weissheier. The Pistol Shrimp came back strong in the bottom of the first and took a 4-1 lead. The REX cut the lead down to two on a single by right fielder Nate Wolf that scored Weissheier. The REX had big fifth inning. It started when center fielder Tyler Nelson scored on a wild pitch. With the bases loaded left fielder Alec Brunson stepped up and hit a Grand Slam to give the REX a 7-4 lead! It was his fifth home run of the season. Unfortunately, the Pistol Shrimp responded with four runs of their own to take an 8-7 lead. The REX had two runners on base in the final inning, but were unable to get anyone across home plate. The Pistol Shrimp won game one by a score of 8-7.

Catcher Dylan Janke in the batter's box from a game earlier this year. Photo Courtesy of Brian Williams.

Wabash Valley's Own bounced back in game two of the double header. They scored in the first inning on a wild pitch that saw Atkinson cross home plate. The third inning was dynamic for the REX. Terre Haute native and third baseman Kaleb Hannahs hit his second home run of the season and Weissheier followed that up with a bomb of his own. Weissheier now has 12 home runs on the season. The Pistol Shrimp got one back in the bottom of the fourth to cut the REX lead to 3-1. The REX moved the lead to 5-1 in the fifth on a two RBI single by shortstop Kody Putnam. Finally, in the top of the seventh inning, Wabash Valley's Own got some insurance runs on a two run moon shot by catcher Dylan Janke. The Pistol Shrimp were unable to score again and the REX won by a score of 7-1.

The REX are back in action tonight as they take on their in-state rivals, the Lafayette Aviators, at Loeb Stadium at 7:05 PM EST.

GO REX!