The Terre Haute REX extended their stronghold on first place in the Prospect League's West Division on Saturday, sweeping a doubleheader from first-half champion Dubois County at League Stadium. The REX won 6-1 and 3-0 to improve to 13-4 on the season, stretching its lead on second-place Springfield to 3 1/2 games.
Terre Haute's pair of two-way players, left-handed pitchers Kyle Zimmerman and Michael Schroeder, picked up victories on the mound as the REX continued to display one of the best pitching staffs in the league. Terre Haute has had led fewer earned runs than any team in the West Division by a wide margin.
In the opener, Zimmerman tossed five innings to pick up the victory, while Terre Haute native Josh Dove tossed two scoreless innings in relief. Edmund Cheatham and Patrick Chandler sparked the REX offense, combining for seven hits in the top two spots of the lineup. The duo helped raise the REX on-base percentage to .390 on the season, which ranks third in the Prospect League. Cheatham went 3 for 4 with two runs, connecting for a double and and stealing two bases. He now has 20 stolen bases on the season.
Chandler had four stolen bases, giving him eight on the season.
In the nightcap, Schroeder allowed just two hits in 5 1/3 innings. Kyle Kempf led the offense with two hits, raising his batting average to a
blistering .389, which now leads all Prospect League batters. Kempf also added his 36th RBI of the season. The REX provided the entire package Saturday, playing the two seven-inning games without an error.
-- Article by Craig Pearson
|
