The Decatur Bean Ballers made history Tuesday night at Workman Family Baseball Field, earning the first victory in franchise history with a convincing 24-4 win in a breakout offensive performance in front of the home crowd in Decatur.
The Bean Ballers, Decatur’s new Prospect League summer collegiate baseball team, exploded for 24 runs on 17 hits while capitalizing on aggressive baserunning, patient at-bats, and timely hitting to secure the milestone victory for the organization.
After falling behind 1-0 in the opening inning, Decatur responded immediately. Brandon Abernathy reached on a fielder’s choice that allowed Wally Diaz to score and tie the game at 1-1. Moments later, Oneil Feliz delivered an RBI single to center field to bring home Matthew Nowominsky and give the Bean Ballers their first lead of the night.
The second inning became the turning point as Decatur broke the game wide open with a massive offensive outburst. Dane Hrasky started the rally with an RBI walk before the Bean Ballers added runs on a wild pitch and a passed ball. Feliz later lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to plate another run before Carder Reich singled home Matthew Nowominsky to extend the lead to 6-1.
Decatur’s offense only intensified in the third inning.
The Bean Ballers erupted for ten runs in the frame, turning the game into a rout. Gage Reynolds opened the scoring with an RBI single before Brandon Abernathy advanced home on a wild pitch. Grayson Roberson followed with an RBI single to center, and Carder Reich continued his huge night with another RBI knock that scored Nowominsky.
A balk later brought home another run before Keegan Farnaus ripped an RBI triple to left field, scoring Reich and Feliz. Hrasky added an RBI single shortly after, and another wild pitch capped the inning with Decatur holding a commanding 16-3 advantage.
Reich remained one of the offensive stars of the evening in the fourth inning when he lined a two-run double down the left-field line, bringing home Feliz and Roberson. Carder finished the game 3-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored.
The Bean Ballers continued to apply pressure throughout the middle innings. Feliz added another RBI single in the fifth inning, while Hrasky and Karson Quinn each drew RBI walks in the sixth. Feliz later delivered yet another sacrifice fly to push the lead to 24-3.
Feliz finished with a monster night at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs scored. Hrasky added three hits, two RBIs, and scored twice, while Reynolds collected four hits and two RBIs in an impressive performance near the top of the lineup.
Nowominsky also crossed the plate four times and swiped a base, while Farnaus contributed three hits, a triple, and two RBIs.
On the mound, the Bean Ballers pieced together a strong pitching effort after an early deficit. Manuel Toro started the game and struck out five batters across three innings. Parker Phillips earned the win in relief, allowing just one run over two innings while striking out two.
Kaden Davis and Jackson Snitko combined to close out the final innings, with Snitko recording three strikeouts in two innings of work.
The victory marked a significant moment for the city of Decatur and the Bean Ballers organization, which officially debuted this summer as the Prospect League’s newest franchise. The club was introduced earlier this year as Decatur’s first collegiate summer baseball team in decades, bringing Prospect League baseball back to the city for the 2026 season.
With the historic first win now secured, the Bean Ballers will look to build momentum as the inaugural season continues in Decatur.
Coach Arroyo Post Game Interview
#34 Oniell Feliz with a Hard Hit RBI Double to Left Field
#28 Carder Reich with a Hard Hit 2 RBI Double to Left Field
#2 Gage Reynolds with a RBI Single to Right Field
#1 Keegan Farnaus with a Hard Hit Triple to Left Field
#15 Mathew Novominsky with the Routine Catch in Center Field to end the Inning
#19 Garret Allen making the Running Catch in Left Field to secure the Out