Lofstrom Leads Dragons to Comeback Win

Dragons 4, Bowling Green 2
                                                
Bowling Green (R-H-E): 2-7-2
Dayton (R-H-E): 4-8-1
Win: Cory Thompson (1-0)
Loss: Nick Padilla (1-1)
Save: John Ghyzel (1)
HR: Dayton: None  
HR: Bowling Green: None
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.
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