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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dayton takes series opener from South Bend with 3-2 win

May 25, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


South Bend, IN - With Wednesday's off day giving them 24 hours to sit and think about Tuesday's disappointing 5-4 loss to the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays, the Dayton Dragons (25-22) bounced back from the series finale at C.O. Brown Stadium and jumped into a four game set with the South Bend Silver Hawks (20-25) at Coveleski Stadium in South Bend on Thursday night. The Dragons got out in front early and held on late to win the opener 3-2 in front of 1,783 fans.

The Dragons got the scoring started in the top of the second inning off South Bend starter Cody Evans (LP, 1-6). After B.J. Szymanski led off the inning with a single, Habelito Hernandez blasted a pitch over the wall in left, and completely out of Coveleski Stadium. The first home run of the season for Hernandez gave Dayton the 2-0 advantage.

After the brief display of offense by the Dragons in the second, pitching took center stage with Johnny Cueto (WP, 5-1) of the Dragons and Evans putting up plenty of zeros on the scoreboard. With one down in the second inning, J.D. Reininger picked up the third hit of the night for the Dragons. It would be the top of the sixth inning and 13 batters later before Evans allowed another base runner, on a one out walk to Mike DeJesus. Cueto's first hit allowed was a two out single to Trey Hendricks in the bottom of the second inning. The Dragons flame throwing right hander set down 13 Silver Hawks in a row before Leyson Septimo singled to start the seventh.

Dayton added an insurance run in the top of the eighth off Evans. DeJesus reached first base on a fielder's choice, and came in to score the third Dragons run on a double by Szymanski. Evans was lifted in favor of relief pitcher Ramon Sanchez (ND) who retired Hernandez to close out the inning.

The insurance run proved to be an important one as South Bend would dent the plate in the bottom of the eighth. Logan Ondrusek (ND) relieved Cueto, and retired the first two Silver Hawk hitters he faced. With two outs, Ricardo Sosa doubled to left, and Frank Curreri followed with a two-run home run to right field to cut into the Dragons lead at 3-2. Blake Hendley (S, 11) was called in from the Dragons bullpen, and got the final out after allowing a double to pinch hitter Greg Thomson.

Hendley would go back out for the ninth inning. After allowing a leadoff single to Septimo, Hendley fielded a ground ball off the bat of Justin Upton, spun and threw to Eric Eymann covering second, who then relayed to first for the double play. The double play concluded a 0-for-4 night with three strikeouts for the former first overall draft pick in 2005. Bryan Byrne grounded out to end the ninth, and preserve the 3-2 victory for Johnny Cueto and the Dragons.

The Dragons continue the four game series at Coveleski Stadium with the Silver Hawks on Friday night with a 6:30 PM first pitch. LHP Philippe Valiquette (1-3, 6.43 ERA) gets the start for the Dragons, while South Bend will counter with LHP Ryan Schreppel (1-5, 5.27 ERA). 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM will carry the game live beginning with the Dragons pre game show at 6:00 PM. All Dragons games in 2006 can also be heard live on the internet at www.daytondragons.com.

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