Collier's 9th Inning 3-Run Home Run Lifts Dragons to Comeback Win

Dragons 5, Cedar Rapids 3

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Dayton (R-H-E): 5-8-0; Cedar Rapids (R-H-E): 3-8-0

Win: Brock Bell (1-0); Loss: A.J. Labas (0-1); Save: Luis Mey (2)

HR: Dayton: Cam Collier (2nd, 2 on base in ninth inning; 420’ distance; 108 mph exit velocity).

Cedar Rapids: Ricardo Olivar (1st, 0 on base in sixth inning); Willie Joe Garry (1st, 0 on base in seventh inning).

Cedar Rapids, Iowa—Cam Collier blasted a ninth inning three-run home run to erase 3-2 deficit and lift the Dayton Dragons to a 5-3 victory over the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Friday night. The two teams have split the first four games of the series that will continue with games at 2:05 pm Saturday and Sunday in Cedar Rapids.

The Dragons trailed 3-2 entering the ninth inning when they put together a game-winning rally. Ethan O’Donnell opened the inning with a line drive single to right field and Sal Stewart followed with a hit to right that moved O’Donnell to second. Collier then drilled a three-run shot to center field with an estimated distance of 420’ and an exit velocity of 108 mph off the bat. It was Collier’s second home run of the year and lifted his RBI total to a league-leading 10 as the Dragons took a 5-3 lead.

Luis Mey, a hard-throwing reliever, came in from the Dayton to pitch the bottom of the ninth. Mey issued a lead-off walk but retired the next three hitters, topping out at 101 mph with his fastball to earn his second save.

Rhett Lowder, the Cincinnati Reds first round draft pick in 2023, made his second professional start and pitched effectively, going five innings and giving up one run on four hits with one walks and five strikeouts. Lowder used a three pitch mix with a fastball that reached 97 mph and two hard secondary pitches, a slider and change-up, both in the high 80’s.

The Dragons finished with eight hits. Hector Rodriguez was 3 for 5 and raised his batting average to .440. He had a run-scoring double in the top of the seventh that briefly tied the game.

Dragons reliever Brock Bell was credited with the win, going two and one-third innings and allowing one run on two hits with no walks and a strikeout.

Up Next: The Dragons (4-3) will battle the Kernels (2-4) in the fifth game of the six-game series in Cedar Rapids on Saturday afternoon at 2:05 pm (EDT). Jared Lyons (0-0, 6.00) will start for the Dragons against Christian MacLeod. The series concludes on Sunday at 2:05 p.m.

The Dragons next home game at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District is Tuesday, April 16 against the Fort Wayne TinCaps. 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.