TERRE HAUTE —
If you haven’t been to a Terre Haute Rex game yet this season, tonight might be the time to go.
The Rex have a second straight home game against the Dubois County Bombers, a potential Prospect League West Division playoff preview — and a battle between maybe the division’s two biggest rivals.
The Rex hung on to beat the Bombers 5-4 Thursday night with 1,325 in attendance, using a five-run inning and a stellar relief effort by Clay Manering to win a game that was scoreless after both teams aces were roughed up in the first four frames.
Seven stolen bases by the visitors — one of which seemed to get under the skin of Terre Haute pitcher Tommy Strunc — were offset by four extra-base hits in the bottom of the third by the Rex.
Strunc escaped a second-and-third, one-out jam in the top of the first with two strikeouts, but the Bombers scored on a double steal in the second inning and got a hit, a steal and another hit for a 2-0 lead in the top of the third.
With two out in the bottom of that frame, however, the home team’s bats came alive — temporarily — against Dubois County workhorse Ty Simpson.
Spencer Mahoney, who had led off the inning with a walk, was at second base when Patrick Chandler launched a no-doubt-about-it line drive over the right-field fence. A steal and stolen base by Kyle Kempf — whose highlight-reel diving catch against leadoff batter Landon Curry loomed huge later in the first — preceded successive run-scoring doubles by Michael Schroeder, Brian Norwood and Casey McCurdy.
The Bombers showed they weren’t slowing down with a three-run deficit, however, and were quickly back in the game in the fourth.
A one-out single by Austin Nyman led to a steal and throwing error that put him at third. Curry walked and Bo Ausmus got a bunt single the Rex watched — bunt-defense practice is at 4 p.m. today, manager Brian Dorsett told his team after the game — to cut the lead to 5-3, but Curry was thrown out at third on the front end of a double steal.
On the throw back to Strunc on the mound, however, Ausmus broke for third and not only got there but scored on Strunc’s error. The Rex pitcher hit one batter and nearly another as the Bombers loaded the bases, but a popup ended the inning.
“Ugly game,” said Dorsett, whose team finished the game with five errors — four on steal attempts. “Tommy [who started the Prospect League all-star game] has been lights-out all year, but sometimes he rushes himself.
“He’s got to work on his slide step and his throw-over [to keep running games in check],” the Rex manager continued. “This was a great reminder for him.”
Strunc had reached 95 pitches by this point, so Clay Manering came on in relief in the top of the fifth, and spun four excellent innings — the only potential threat wiped out by a Rex double play in the top of the sixth after a leadoff double by Curry.
Edmund Cheatham started that twin killing and added a double on sheer hustle in the bottom of the seventh, but the Rex had no other offense against Simpson — who lasted seven innings — or reliever Justin Kruse. After Manering’s game-winning job, Nick Blount got two strikeouts in a quick ninth-inning save, his 11th of the summer.
“Thank God we had the one big inning,” Dorsett said afterward.
Although the game settled down after near-fireworks in the top of the fourth, there’s no doubt these two teams bring a little extra spark when they play each other.
“They’re a good club,” Dorsett said of the Bombers. “They come at you every time ... [tonight] will be the last time we see them — until the playoffs.”
Rex 5, Bombers 4
DC ab r h bi TH Rex ab r h bi
Curry lf 4 0 1 0 Cheatham 2b 3 0 1 0
Ausmus 2b 3 1 1 1 Chandler rf 4 1 1 2
Rouleau ss 4 1 2 0 Kempf cf 3 1 0 0
Zahn 1b 5 0 1 0 Schroeder 1b 4 1 2 1
Daily 3b 3 0 1 1 Norwood c 4 1 1 1
Tavares dh 4 0 0 0 McCurdy lf 4 0 1 1
Windler rf 3 0 0 0 Eberle 3b 3 0 0 0
Conner c 3 1 0 0 Mahoney ss 2 1 0 0
Nyman cf 4 1 2 0 Hayes dh 2 0 0 0
Totals 33 4 8 2 Totals 29 5 6 5
Dubois County Bombers 011 200 000 — 4
Terre Haute Rex 005 000 000 — 5
E — Norwood 3, Strunc, Schroeder. DP — THR 1. LOB — DCB 10, THR 4. 2B — Schroeder, Norwood, McCurdy, Curry, Cheatham. HR — Chandler. SB — Nyman 2, Conner, Rouleau 2, Daily, Kempf, Ausmus, Cheatham. CS — Curry 2. SH — Hayes.
IP H R ER W K
Dubois County Bombers
Simpson (L) 7 6 5 5 3 6
Kruse 1 0 0 0 0 0
Terre Haute Rex
Strunc 4 7 4 4 4 6
Manering (W) 4 1 0 0 2 5
Blount (S) 1 0 0 0 0 2
WP — Simpson, Strunc. HBP — by Strunc (Rouleau), by Strunc (Daily). T — 2:27.
Next — The Terre Haute Rex (15-6) and Dubois County Bombers (9-12) play again at 7:05 p.m. today at Bob Warn Field.
Terre Haute Rex
First-place Rex top rival Bombers
- Terre Haute Rex
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Prettyman getting comfortable as boss
At first glance, it would be easy to look at first-year Terre Haute Rex manager Ronnie Prettyman and expect him to have a difficult journey during his maiden voyage as a baseball manager.
Managing in the Prospect League isn’t the easiest job in the world.
Rosters change constantly, especially early in the season when players are still reporting from their college teams. The travel is arduous — a night game in far-off Quincy, Ill., could be followed by a home game, followed by a game at equally far-off Hannibal, Mo. The players have to acclimate themselves to playing every day after having played a maximum of five games a week at the college level. -
Loss drops Rex into first-place tie
In a battle for first place in the West Division of the Prospect League baseball standings, the Terre Haute Rex fell just short Monday night at Bob Warn Field.
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Sliders’ frustration against Rex continues
The Springfield Sliders probably curse the departure of the Dubois County Bombers from the Prospect League more than most.
What do the Bombers, who now ply their trade in the Ohio Valley League, have to do with the Sliders, or for that matter, the Terre Haute Rex?
When the Bombers left the Prospect League it created a situation where the Prospect League’s West Division teams — the Rex and Sliders both being members — had one less opponent to play in intradivision play.
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Sanchez stays hot to lead Rex to victory
Hot seems to be the right temperature for Terre Haute Rex Ricky Sanchez.
After going 3-for-5 in the Rex win on Tuesday at Hannibal, Sanchez drove in four runs with a two hits Wednesday in Terre Haute’s 6-5 win over the same Cavemen at Bob Warn Stadium.
The win allowed the Rex to maintain a one-game lead on Quincy in the Prospect League West Division standings.
Sanchez, a catcher and outfielder out of Notre Dame, started the night hitting .355 and was 2-for-3 at the plate with a double.
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Rex fall at home to Sliders
Zack Evans drilled the second Terre Haute Rex home run of the season Sunday, smashing a line drive into the trees in left field. The ball left Bob Warn Field in a hurry, but the solo shot was not enough to overcome a 3-1 deficit to the Springfield Sliders.
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Rex looking to return to pitching dominance Sunday against Springfield
During a 7-1 start and franchise-best seven-game winning streak, Terre Haute Rex pitching was the catalyst. Through eight games, the Rex led the Prospect League with an earned-run average of 1.11.
Even after giving up 10 runs Friday night in a 10-6 loss to the Quincy Gems, the Rex (7-2) are still the league leader in ERA at 2.09. -
Terre Haute Rex win franchise-record seventh straight game
Having begun its fourth season as a member of the Prospect League, the Terre Haute Rex summer baseball team had never won seven games in a row.
That is, until now. -
Rex pull even with Gems in first place after 14-inning win
It took 3 hours, 45 minutes on Tuesday at Bob Warn Field, but the Terre Haute Rex got even.
The Rex avenged their season-opening loss to the Quincy Gems, and the 5-4 victory in 14 innings also pulled the team even with the Gems atop the Prospect League West Division standings. -
Rex down Cavemen for fourth straight
Five Terre Haute Rex pitchers scattered six hits and four walks over nine innings on Sunday. All 10 baserunners were left stranded by Hannibal, and the Rex hurlers combined for a shutout of the Cavemen.
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Rex keep rolling with third straight victory
The formula didn’t have to change Saturday night as the Terre Haute Rex extended their winning streak to three games in Prospect League baseball.
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Wampler's three hits, three RBI lead Rex to win at Springfield
Tyler Wampler was 3-for-4 and had three RBI as the Terre Haute Rex earned its maiden victory of the 2013 season with a 6-0 victory over Springfield at Robin Roberts Field.
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Rex edged by Quincy in season opener
Kurt Kudrecki’s defense made a couple costly miscues, and his lineup managed just five hits through seven innings against Quincy, as the Gems held on for a 4-3 victory in the season opener for the Terre Haute Rex.
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2012 an up, down season for Rex
The Terre Haute Rex went through plenty of trials and tribulations during the summer of 2012.
The team got off to a sluggish start to settle for third place during the first half of the Prospect League race, but manager Brian Dorsett rallied the troops to a second-half title. -
Metro Roundup: Dorsett, Rex players honored in Prospect League postseason awards
Terre Haute Rex closer Nick Blount won one award and shared another and Brian Dorsett shared Manager of the Year honors as the Prospect League announced postseason awards Saturday.
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Rex out of playoffs
Successful playoff baseball = clean baseball.
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Rex mix, match their way to win
The Terre Haute Rex clinched a playoff spot last Thursday … but there were still four games to be played.
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Rex turn eye to Prospect playoffs
Fans attending this evening’s Terre Haute Rex game should expect some handouts, some surprises — and probably better start by the home team than the Rex could provide Saturday night.
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Rex drop road game to Sliders 7-1
One night after a dramatic come-from-behind victory, the Terre Haute Rex went down meekly to the Springfield Sliders 7-1 in Prospect League baseball Friday night.
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Rex defeat Springfield twice, clinch spot in playoffs
It was a long but fruitful night for the playoff-bound Terre Haute Rex.
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Playoff march continues: Rex creep closer to postseason with victory over Dans
Hire the band, make the floats, and rent out a street.
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Rex split, retain 3 1⁄2-game advantage in West Division
A five-run ninth-inning rally fell far short for the Terre Haute Rex on Sunday night in Prospect League baseball.
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No no-hitter, but Rex triumphs
Kyle Zimmerman took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, lost his control and the lead, but the Terre Haute Rex offense had an immediate answer Friday night at Bob Warn Field.
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Travel baseball teams enjoy busy summer
So in the past two or three years, the increase in local travel baseball options has been led by three groups, Indiana (formerly Terre Haute) Havoc, Riley Recreation League and Junior Rex.
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First-place Rex top rival Bombers
If you haven’t been to a Terre Haute Rex game yet this season, tonight might be the time to go.
The Rex have a second straight home game against the Dubois County Bombers, a potential Prospect League West Division playoff preview — and a battle between maybe the division’s two biggest rivals. -
Rex top Cavemen, raise record to 14-6
The first-place Terre Haute Rex picked up a 6-4 victory Wednesday at Hannibal, Mo., against the Cavemen.
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Rex win first game of Saturday doubleheader
Terre Haute maintained its stronghold on first place in the Prospect League West Division on Saturday, the Rex defeating Dubois County 6-1 in the first game of a doubleheader.
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Strunc fans 10, Rex win 12-10
Power pitching and power hitting kept a season-high crowd of 1,732 Rex fans on the edge of their seats Friday night at Bob Warn Field.
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Starting role suits Cunningham as Rex win
Nick Cunningham took the mound Thursday in his relatively new role as starting pitcher looking to give the Terre Haute Rex some breathing room atop the Prospect League West Division standings.
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Rex fall at Danville, maintain two-game division lead
The Terre Haute Rex lost 7-4 on Wednesday at Danville, falling to 9-4 in the second half of the Prospect League schedule.
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High drama, but no win
Pinch-hitter Michael Eberle provided patient Terre Haute Rex fans with plenty of excitement by belting a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie the score against the Springfield Sliders at 9-9.
- More Terre Haute Rex Headlines
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Prettyman getting comfortable as boss
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