MWL Dayton Dragons

Hendrick's Hit Breaks 8-8 Tie in 9th as Dragons Win in Fort Wayne

Published on June 16, 2023 under Midwest League (MWL)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Fort Wayne, Ind. - Austin Hendrick's two-run single with two outs in the ninth inning broke an 8-8 tie and the Dayton Dragons held on to defeat the Fort Wayne TinCaps 11-8 on Friday night. The Dragons jumped back above the .500 mark with the win, improving their record to 31-30 with five games to play in the first half season.

The Dragons collected 17 hits on the night, matching their season high. Tyler Callihan became the first Dayton player to pick up four hits in a game this season, going 4 for 5. The Dragons have 30 hits over their last two games.

Fort Wayne scored two runs in the first inning and held that lead until Dayton responded with four runs in the third. Hendrick blasted a solo home run with one out, his third homer of the year. Edwin Arroyo followed by bouncing a double over the right-center field fence, and he scored on Tyler Callihan's single to tie the game at 2-2. Austin Callahan followed with a two-run home run to right, his third homer of the season, to give the Dragons a 4-2 lead.

Fort Wayne tied the game with two runs in the fourth, but the Dragons jumped back in front with three in the fifth. Austin Callahan had a run-scoring infield single in the inning, while another run scored on a balk, and Ashton Creal added an RBI single to make it 7-4.

Fort Wayne battled back to take the lead, scoring two runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh to go ahead 8-7. But the Dragons tied the game in the top of the eighth on Arroyo's run-scoring single to make it 8-8.

In the ninth, Justice Thompson singled to center with one out, and Creal followed with an infield hit. With two outs, Thompson and Creal executed a double steal, and Jack Rogers walked to load the bases. Hendrick followed with a smash through the middle that grazed the glove of the second baseman to drive in Thompson and Creal and give the Dragons a 10-8 lead. Rogers scored on a passed ball to make it 11-8.

Dragons reliever Owen Holt (2-2) pitched the final two and two-thirds innings without allowing a run to earn the win. He surrendered one hit and one walk but struck out three and tossed a perfect bottom of the ninth inning to close out the win.

Along with Tyler Callihan's four-hit night, Edwin Arroyo added three hits for the Dragons. Hendrick, Austin Callahan, and Creal each had two hits. All nine hitters in the batting order had at least one hit.

Up Next: The Dragons (31-30) play at Fort Wayne on Saturday at 6:35 p.m. in the fifth game of the six-game set with the TinCaps (29-32). Julian Aguiar (2-1, 2.42), pushed back one day in the rotation, is scheduled to start for Dayton.

The Dragons next home game is scheduled for Tuesday, June 20 at 7:05 p.m. against the Lake County Captains at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. For ticket information, go to daytondragons.com/tickets or call (937) 228-2287.

On the Air: All Dragons home and road games are broadcast on radio on FOX Sports 980 AM WONE. Games can be heard on smart phones, iPads, and other mobile devices via the free Dragons Mobile App, or on a computer at wone.com. Games are also available on HD Radio on 104.7 WTUI HD 2.

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Midwest League Stories from June 16, 2023


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