REX defeats the CornBelters for Central Division Championship
REX advances to the Eastern Conference Championship as the 2025 Prospect League Central Division Champions!
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | X | 5 | 9 | 1 |
The Basics
Score: REX 5, Normal CornBelters 1
Records: REX (36-18, 1-0), Normal CornBelters (24-31, 0-1)
Location: Sycamore Stadium - Terre Haute, IN
TERRE HAUTE, IN – The REX are headed to the Eastern Conference Championship game with a 5-1 victory over the Normal CornBelters Friday at Sycamore Stadium in Terre Haute.
The Central Division Champion REX will host the Northeast Division Champion Lafayette Aviators for the Eastern Conference Championship on Sunday.
The CornBelters struck first in the contest, as Jackson Stanket doubled home Tyler Thompson in the top of the 1st.
Leading 1-0, Normal's starting pitcher, Adrian Rapier, was excellent, tossing 3 no-hit innings to begin.
REX finally found offensive life in the 4th, as Felix Polanco broke up the no-hitter with a 2-out single. Gabe Wright followed with a walk, and Delvis Claudio singled to score Polanco after a pitching change by the CornBelters.
Still tied 1-1 heading into the bottom of the 6th, REX took their first lead on a Claudio RBI double. They added another on Jayden Lepper's solo shot in the 7th, and put the game away with Claudio's third RBI knock in the 8th.
Deron Swanson closed out the game for REX with 3 shutout innings to earn the save.
Turning Point
After allowing 1 run on 2 hits in the 1st, REX starter Samual Guadamuz only allowed 4 hits and 1 walk in the 2nd through the 5th, striking out 7 to earn the victory.
Inside The Box Score
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Gaudamuz picked up his 9th victory of the season after leading the League with 8 in the regular season.
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REX outhit Normal 9-6 in total, but 9-3 after the 3rd inning.
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Issac Graf took the loss for the CornBelters in relief, allowing 2 runs through 3+ innings.
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Delvis Claudio drove in 3 of the 5 REX runs, going 3-4 with a double.
Notes
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This is the fourth division championship for REX and their second straight.
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REX is looking to return to the Prospect League Championship Series after falling to Illinois Valley in two games last season.
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The CornBelters are now 0-3 in Division Championship games in their three playoff appearances.
Up Next
REX advances to Sunday's Conference Championship round and will host the Northeast Division Champion Aviators. The Eastern Conference Championship game is set for 4:35 PM (ET) on Sunday and will be hosted by REX at Sycamore Stadium.