MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons Win Thriller, 8-7, over West Michigan

Published on April 30, 2003 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


The Dayton Dragons (12-14) took the finale of the four game series from the West Michigan Whitecaps (14-12) in comeback fashion propelled by five unanswered runs in the final two innings of the game in front of 8,076 at Fifth Third Field Wednesday night.

West Michigan jumped out to an early 1-0 lead as leadoff batter Juan Francia doubled to start the ballgame and would score on a throwing error from Ryan Hanigan as the Dragon backstop fired errantly on a pickoff attempt after Francia advanced to third base.

Trailing 2-0 after a Whitecap HR by Scott Moore in the second, Dayton picked up three runs in the bottom of the inning to take the 3-2 lead. Travis Wong led off the inning with a double and reached third base on a Mark Schramek single. Brad Correll would then walk to load the bases setting the table for Hanigan who looped a two RBI single into left field. Luis Bolivar then singled to close out the scoring for Dayton until the seventh inning.

The ‘Caps recaptured the lead as Jody Roughton cracked a two run homer off of the foul pole in left field in the fourth inning. West Michigan picked up three more on just one base hit in the fifth inning to make the score 7-3.

Dayton scored twice in the seventh inning to close the gap to 7-5. Junior Ruiz reached on a fielder's choice and would score on a RBI single off of the bat of Justin Davis. Kevin Howard singled in front of Davis and would score on Travis Wong's single.

Matt McWilliams (W, 1-1) tossed the final two innings not allowing a run to pick up the win for Dayton. McWilliams worked out of a bases loaded no out situation in the eighth that would prove as the turning point of the game.

The Dragons would take the lead in the bottom half of the eighth scoring three times as West Michigan committed three errors. Correll singled to lead things off. Hanigan then reached base on a Moore error that advanced Correll to third. Correll would then score on a fielder's choice from Luis Bolivar. Junior Ruiz lifted a sacrifice fly that tied the game at seven a piece. Howard then ripped a double off of Juan Figeroa (L, 0-1) to right center field plating the final run of the ballgame. McWilliams threw a scoreless ninth inning to finish off the Whitecaps. The Dragons continue the home stand Thursday night at Fifth Third Field as the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers come to town for a four game series. ESPN Radio 1410 WING AM will carry the game live with the pregame show beginning at 6:30 pm. LHP Jan Granado will get the start for the Dragons while RHP T.A. Fulmer will throw for Wisconsin.

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Midwest League Stories from April 30, 2003


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