
Lofstrom Leads Dragons to Comeback Win
April 8, 2018 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release
Dayton, Ohio - Dayton catcher Morgan Lofstrom keyed a four-run eighth inning as the Dragons erased a two-run deficit to defeat the Bowling Green Hot Rods 4-2 on Sunday afternoon. A crowd of 7,342 saw the Dragons earn their first win of the 2018 season and improve their record to 1-3.
The Dragons trailed 2-0 in the bottom of the eighth inning when Stuart Fairchild walked to start the rally. John Sansone followed with a double to left field to move Fairchild to third. Hector Vargas grounded out to second base to drive in Fairchild and make it 2-1, as Sansone advanced to third. The next two batters were retired as Sansone remained at third, but Loftstrom followed with a hard infield single off the glove of shortstop Taylor Walls to bring in Sansone and tie the game at 2-2. Jose Garcia then hit a ground ball to third baseman Adrian Rondon, who fielded it cleanly but threw wildly to second base to try to get Lofstrom for an inning-ending force play. Rondon's throw carried into right field, and Lofstrom tried to race around to score. The throw to the plate beat Lofstrom, but he slid around the tag and then reached back with one hand to tap the plate and give the Dragons the lead with their third run of the inning. Jeter Downs followed with an infield single to drive in Garcia and make it 4-2.
Dayton reliever John Ghyzel pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his first save, issuing a one-out walk but striking out two batters. Cory Thompson pitched a scoreless eighth inning and was credited with the win.
Dragons starting pitcher Wendolyn Bautista was exceptional for the first five innings before allowing two hits and two runs in the sixth. He left the game after tossing five and one-third innings, giving up two runs on five hits with three walks and four strikeouts.
The Dragons collected eight hits. Downs led the way, going 3 for 5 with a run batted in. Sansone and Lofstrom each had two hits.
Up Next: The Dragons remain home to open a four-game series with the Lake County Captains on Monday night at 7:00. Hunter Greene, the Reds first round draft choice in 2017, will make his Full-Season professional debut as the Dragons starting pitcher. He will be opposed by Lake County's Francisco Perez.
All Dragons games are broadcast on radio on Fox Sports 980 WONE and on the internet at wone.com. Games are also available on the Dayton Dragons mobile app.
For Dragons 2018 ticket information, call (937) 228-2287.
Images from this story
![]() Dayton Dayton Catcher Morgan Lofstrom reaches home plate just ahead of the tag |
Midwest League Stories from April 8, 2018
- Captains Sweep Fort Wayne to Start 4-0 - Lake County Captains
- Suwinski Homers, But TinCaps Swept - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Loons' Wins a Package Deal - Great Lakes Loons
- Lugnuts Drop Twinbill to Loons, 11-6, 5-2 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Cougars Split Double Header in Clinton - Kane County Cougars
- LumberKings split twin billing - Clinton LumberKings
- 'Caps Hang On for 8-7 Win - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Hot Rods Lose Late Lead, First Game of Season, 4-2 - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Chiefs/Bees Postponed Sunday - Peoria Chiefs
- Cubs Comeback Effort Not Enough to Beat Whitecaps, Lose 8-7 - South Bend Cubs
- Lofstrom Leads Dragons to Comeback Win - Dayton Dragons
- Snappers Fall for First Time in 2018 with 4-2 Loss - Beloit Sky Carp
- Rattlers Get Into the Win Column; Wisconsin beats Beloit 4-2 - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- TinCaps Game Notes: April 8 vs. Lake County - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Sunday's Game in Cedar Rapids Postponed - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Kernels and River Bandits Postponed - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Dragons GameDay Notes for Sunday - Dayton Dragons
- Chiefs Fall 9-3 Saturday - Peoria Chiefs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Dayton Dragons Stories
- Lansing Scores 5 in 9th Inning to Top Dragons, 6-3
- Dragons to Recognize Stevie's World of Wiffle-Ball as Community All-Stars Recipient on June 5
- Dayton Dragons GameDay Notes for Wednesday (7:05 PM vs Lansing)
- Dragons on TV Friday & Saturday on Dayton's CW
- Bengals All-Pro Receiver Ja'Marr Chase Joins the Logan Wilson Celebrity Softball Game at Day Air Ballpark

