Crouch stands tall against Dayton

Will Crouch notched four RBIs, went yard twice and scored three times as South Bend cruised past visiting Dayton, 8-3, on Wednesday.

Crouch gave the Silver Hawks (16-4) an early lead by smoking a two-run triple, his first in 127 at-bats, during a five-run first inning. In the second, he sent a solo shot over the left-field fence.

Crouch drew a walk in the fourth, then skied his second solo blast of the night in the seventh to ice the game. He struck out swinging at his final at-bat in the eighth.

The outing lifted Crouch's average to .252 in 37 games this year. He's gone yard eight times this year and has driven in 15 runs.

Adam Howard (5-2) earned the win, allowing two runs -- one earned -- on five hits over seven innings. He fanned six and walked one. Jake Baxter gave up one run in the ninth before getting Josh Holden to ground out to end the game.

Brandon Szymanski hit a solo homer in the fourth on a 2-for-4 night for the Dragons (9-12).

Starter Travis Wood (6-2) picked up the loss after being tagged for seven runs -- five earned -- on five hits over just 2 1/3 innings. He fanned one and walked three.