News From Terre Haute, Indiana

Sports

Lady Rex 18-and-under players by high school

Terre Haute South — Alexis Higgins, Rebecca Latta, Mackenzie McGregor, Cheyenne Reining, Marissa Stout
West Vigo — Ciara McClain, Jacy McClain
Terre Haute North — Marlee Yeager
Sullivan — Alysia Bennett
Riverton Parke — Kelly Combs
South Vermillion — Natalie Draper
Linton — Joie Gadberrry

Coaches — Dwayne Stout, Cherie Bennett, Tom Bennett, Nikki McGregor

Related Photos

  • Tribune-Star/Bob Poynter Lady Rex talk: Former Notre Dame softball player Megan Ciolli talks with members of the Lady Rex prior to a Monday workout.

    SPT 061812 REX INSPIRED.jpg

  • Tribune-Star/Bob Poynter Getting ready: Members of the Lady Rex squad meet in the Miss Softball America facility.

    SPT 061812 REX READY.jpg

  • Tribune-Star/Bob Poynter Center: Lady Rex outfielder Natalie Draper fields the ball during Monday's short workout.

    SPT 061812 NATALIE DRAPER2.jpg

  • Tribune-Star/Bob Poynter Rex shortstop: Marlee Yeager fields a ball during a short workout at the Miss Softball America complex Monday afternoon.

    SPT 061812 MARLEE YEAGER.jpg

  • Tribune-Star/Bob Poynter Heat: Lady Rex pitcher Marissa Stout fires a pitch to the plate during Monday's workout at the Miss Softball America complex.

    SPT 061812 MARISSA STOUT.jpg

  • Tribune-Star/Bob Poynter Natalie Draper

    SPT 061812 NATALIE DRAPER.jpg

  • Tribune-Star/Bob Poynter Lady Rex coach: Dwayne Stout talks about his players with Tribune-Star reporter Dennis Clark on Monday afternoon.

    SPT 061812 DWAYNE STOUT REX.jpg

Discussion

Welcome to our online comments feature. We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean. We reserve the right to remove comments that are obscene, racist or abusive and statements that are false or unverifiable as well as posts that are attacking other users. Repeat offenders will be blocked. You may flag objectionable comments for review by a moderator.
comments powered by Disqus
June 20, 2012

Rex Inspired: With new identity, Terre Haute 18u makes World Series trip

Dennis Clark The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE — The Terre Haute Rex are in their third year of operation, quickly becoming well-known in baseball circles.

As a part of their outreach to youth in the Wabash Valley, the Rex lend their name to youth baseball and softball teams. One of those teams, the Terre Haute Lady Rex 18-under team, is making waves in local, area, state and national softball circles.

The Terre Haute Lady Rex have qualified to compete in the 2012 Fastpitch World Series Invitational at Midwest Sport Complex in

Indianapolis on July 18-22.

“Terre Haute Rex got involved with the Little League, they wanted to get involved in softball, so they started to do some research,” Lady Rex coach Dwayne Stout said. “They wanted a team that was successful, they wanted a high-character team. They contacted us about changing our travel name to the Terre Haute Lady Rex.”

That’s how the long-time successful travel team Diamond Edge became the Terre Haute Lady Rex, beginning last summer.

“[The Rex] partially finance us,” Stout said. “We sell tickets to one of the [Rex] games, then they give us some of the proceeds from the tickets the girls sell. We’re also going to have a camp on July 10-11 for both the middle school and elementary kids at the Rex complex.”

The team has enjoyed major success in its tournament appearances.

The Lady Rex are defending Indiana state champions and won the Gravyboat Open at the Miss Softball America complex last fall. The Lady Rex proceeded to win the Grand Slam second leg qualifier tournament in Shelbyville, Ind., earlier in June, earning the World Series berth.

In the Shelbyville tournament, the Lady Rex had an 8-1 record, batted .344 as a team, scored 53 runs, hit four home runs and stole 22 bases. Their pitching wasn’t too shabby either, with a minuscule 1.44 earned run average.

Last weekend, the Lady Rex shined on the national stage, finishing runner-up in the Music City Hits Fastpitch Softball Tournament near Nashville, Tenn. The Lady Rex were competing in a field of 66 teams.

“We played a gold level team [Illinois Force in the championship game], forced the ‘what if?’ game on them,” Stout noted. “So I was pretty proud of them.”

The Lady Rex roster is derived from seven different high schools, including players from schools representing all four class levels (4A, 3A, 2A, A). Their roster includes players that have just graduated from high school, or will be high school juniors or seniors this fall.

Lady Rex players include Marissa Stout, Alexis Higgins, Rebecca Latta, Mackenzie McGregor and Cheyenne Reining from Terre Haute South, Marlee Yeager from Terre Haute North, Ciara McClain and Jacy McClain from West Vigo, Ally Bennett of Sullivan, Joie Gadberry of Linton, Natalie Draper of South Vermillion and Kelly Combs of Riverton Parke.

The Lady Rex have a quartet of coaches in Stout, Cherie Bennett, Tony Bennett and Nikki McGregor.

A trio of Lady Rex players, Yeager (Indiana State), Stout (Rose-Hulman) and Latta (St. Mary-of-the-Woods) will play softball in college next year.

“It’s a really great opportunity for us to get noticed,” Marissa Stout said. “Being associated with the Rex, the Rex organization being pretty well-known, we’ve had a couple more college coaches actually come to our tournaments.”

Stout plans to study biomedical or chemical engineering at Rose, anxious to become a “Fightin’ Engineer” next season.

“It’s a good experience, being around all my friends … being on a good team,” Yeager said. “Making a lot of new friends from players all over the place. Going to all these showcases, it’s just making me a better player playing against good teams.”

While Stout and Yeager will play collegiately next year, two junior-to-be players this fall are hoping to join them in the college ranks in a couple of years.

“In the past I’ve played with pretty competitive teams, but this year it’s even more competitive,” McGregor said. “The girls I’m playing with are all really nice and I feel I’m getting a lot more out of this than I have before.

“I’m supposed to play in 16-and-under, but I decided I wanted to play up with the 18-and-under team. I feel more college coaches are watching and I really want to play softball at the next level.”

Asked about the blending of a such a divergent group of players, McGregor added, “It makes it fun during high school season when we play each other … we’ve gelled together really well.”

“We’re going all over the place, seeing college coaches,” Combs said. “It’s going to be a great experience for me and the other girls, a chance to play at the next level. It’s making a better player, a better person to take this back to my 1A school … making them better too.”

Indeed it’s been a team effort for the Lady Rex, if the individual statistics from their tournament in Shelbyville are any indication.

To wit, McGregor had two home runs, 13 runs batted in, Higgins had six RBIs, Gadberry had seven stolen bases, Yeager had a .524 batting average and seven stolen bases, Reining had a .522 batting average, while Combs had four victories in the circle.

Stout was the winning pitcher in the championship game, a close 3-2 verdict over Indiana Maniacs (Fishers) — avenging their only loss in the tournament.

The Lady Rex were eligible to play in the United States Fastpitch Association World Series in Panama City, Fla. But coach Stout opted from the more exotic venue to one better suited for his team.

“Indianapolis [World Series], because those are more of the local colleges that are going to be able to see my girls multiple times … as opposed to going down to Panama [City] or one of the Carolinas, where those college coaches are only going to see my girls one time,” Stout explained.

The Lady Rex will be busy prior to their World Series appearance. Besides their two-day camp, they will be playing in the Buckeye Classic (Columbus, Ohio), Warsaw Invitational (Warsaw, Ind.) and the Nationals, also in Indianapolis.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Sports
  • West Vigo softball holds off nemesis Edgewood in softball sectional

    Ice cream was enough of a reward Monday night after the West Vigo Vikings beat eight-time defending champion Edgewood 6-2 in extra innings in the opening game of the Class 3A softball sectional at Edgewood High School. But that’s not what Vikings want.

    May 21, 2013

  • SPT0511613manaea3.jpg ISU baseball hoping Manaea can get its MVC Tournament moving in right direction

    Indiana State’s baseball team has been waiting all season for its stars to align.
    But this is the 2013 Sycamores, after all, and after a season in which seemingly little has gone right, it appears its stars will remain crossed at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • PREP ROUNDUP: Shakamak's Green hits two homers in win over West Vigo

    Shakamak improved to 22-3 on the season behind a complete-game effort from Brett Yeryar, and Patrick Green hit two solo home runs in a high school baseball game Monday.

    May 21, 2013

  • Terre Haute North offense unable to get going in loss to Mooresville

    Jack Kirchner chose to give credit Monday night to Mooresville pitcher Taylor Chitwood, not to the Greg Maddux-size strike zone she seemed to enjoy.
    But if there were no excuses forthcoming from Kirchner and his Terre Haute North High School softball team, it wouldn’t have been hard to find a spectator or two to come up with extenuating circumstances about the Patriots’ 4-1 loss at the Class 4A Martinsville Sectional.

    May 21, 2013

  • SPT042213relaywelkergoatee.jpg Terre Haute North looking strong going into girls track regional

    Terre Haute North might need an off night for anyone to catch them in the girls track regional at Evansville Central.
    The Patriots are as well-rounded as they’ve ever been, and two relay teams are state contenders with times ranking No. 2 in Indiana among times recorded all spring.
    Terre Haute South, Northview and Sullivan have athletes among the contenders in multiple events as well.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • ISU sending largest group yet to postseason

    On the heels of their thrilling double victory at the 2013 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships both the Indiana State men and women moved up in the national rankings which were released Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

    May 21, 2013

  • South tennis ready for potential challenge in regional

    Terre Haute South and Northview take respective records of 10-5 and 11-5 into the Greencastle Regional today.

    May 21, 2013

  • softballsecs.jpg Softball sectionals up for grabs

    All three Vigo County high schools and Northview appear to have a realistic chance of winning sectional championships in softball this week.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • Rose to send 5 to national finals

    Five Rose-Hulman athletes have qualified for the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships later this week at Wisconsin-LaCrosse.

    May 20, 2013

  • Terre Haute South, Northview vie for tennis regional title

    Terre Haute South and Northview take respective records of 10-5 and 11-5 into the Greencastle Regional today.
    Coach Bill Blankenbaker’s Braves will play Seeger at 4:30 p.m., while coach Emily Goff’s Knights will take on Crawfordsville about 6 p.m.

    May 20, 2013

Local Interest
softballsecs.jpg

Softball sectionals

High School
College
SPT0511613manaea3.jpg

Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Starter: Sean Manaea started on the mound for Indiana State to start their last MVC series of the year.

  • ISU baseball hoping Manaea can get its MVC Tournament moving in right direction

    Indiana State’s baseball team has been waiting all season for its stars to align.
    But this is the 2013 Sycamores, after all, and after a season in which seemingly little has gone right, it appears its stars will remain crossed at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • ISU track sending record 22 to postseason

    On the heels of their thrilling double victory at the 2013 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships both the Indiana State men and women moved up in the national rankings which were released Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

    May 20, 2013

  • SPT 043013 ACE HUNT TROPHY.jpg ISU's athletic treasure trove

    Think of every championship that Indiana State has won in each of its sports, past and present. Think of every tournament — postseason or regular season — which the Sycamores have claimed as their own.

    May 19, 2013 9 Photos 2 Links

  • Ort sets ISU RBI record in 16-7 win

    Robby Ort celebrated his Indiana State baseball Senior Day on Saturday by becoming the Sycamores’ all-time leader in RBIs as ISU ended its regular season with a 16-7 win over Bradley at Bob Warn Field.

    May 19, 2013

  • Bradley ends 16-game MVC losing streak against ISU

    Momentum was the only thing riding on Indiana State’s baseball game against Bradley on Friday. With a five-game winning streak going, ISU wanted to keep the good vibes going into next week’s Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
    ISU couldn’t do it.

    May 18, 2013

Sports Columns
Pro Sports
Terre Haute Rex
SPT 071512 DORSETT FILE.jpg

Consultation: Rex manager Brian Dorsett talks with his pitcher and players during a time-out Sunday, July 15, at Sycamore Field. (Tribune-Star file/Bob Poynter)

Colts
Auto Racing
Latest News
Multimedia

Like us on Facebook!
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
TribStar.com Poll
Front page
AP Video
Athletes come to aid of Oklahoma tornado victims Tiger Woods on his relationship with Sergio Garcia NBA Draft: Top 5 Prospects VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal Race Preview: Charlotte Motor Speedway Behind the Seams: Big Spenders are Busts Red Wings take 2-1 series lead McReynolds: Johnson Coca-Cola 600 favorite? McReynolds: 48 Team primed for Chase Myers: 'We still need to do some evaluating as to what exactly we need' Weekend Recruiting Wrap Heat vs. Pacers: Playoff grudge match Triple Play: Miguel Cabrera, Giants, and Rays Globe 10.0: Can the Bruins young defensemen keep playing well? Does Tiger feel he should clear the air with Sergio? In a word: no. Redskins looking to find edge at the tight end position Galiardi: 'We think we're the better team' Kevin Dupont discusses Bruins-Rangers Game 2 Singer forgets lyrics, makes up words to National Anthem Padres honor Marines
NDN Video
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal Olivia Munn Flaunts Her Bikini Bod Britney Spears Under Fire Once Again For Being A Bad Mom The Hangover Baby All Grown Up Arias Tells Jury What She'd Do if She Gets Life The all-new Xbox One RAW: Massive tornado strikes Oklahoma Nidal Hasan paid $278K while awaiting trial VIDEO: Teacher reunites mother and son after tornado levels elementary school in Oklahoma City Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble Jennifer Lawrence Gets Naked and Painted Blue as X-Men's Mystique Pickler's Dance Moves Cause A Stir Obama to tornado survivors: The country stands beside you Reporter Cries Over Devastation Sneak Peek: 'Modern Family' Says Good Bye Trailer: 'The Last Stand' Available on Blu-ray Disc, DVD, Digital Download IWitness Look at Moore, OK Tornado RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school Robert Pattinson Moves Out RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
  • -

     

    March 12, 2010

activity