Lake County Achieves a Single-Game Season-High in Home Runs and Walks in 17-2 Trouncing of Dragons
(DAYTON, OH) – The Lake County Captains (36-32) launched five home runs and had 12 base-on-balls in an absolute demolition of the Dayton Dragons (40-28, 17-2 on a 90-degree cloudy Saturday night at Day Air Ballpark. The Captains notched six runs in the first inning, their third six-run inning of
(DAYTON, OH) – The Lake County Captains (36-32) launched five home runs and had 12 base-on-balls in an absolute demolition of the Dayton Dragons (40-28, 17-2 on a 90-degree cloudy Saturday night at Day Air Ballpark.
The Captains notched six runs in the first inning, their third six-run inning of the season. Alexfri Planez continued his red-hot June crushing a three-run homer down the right-field line. After two walks, Connor Kokx stepped up and lined a double off the left-field wall that scored both runners. The final run of the frame was plated after an error from Dayton’s shortstop on a groundball brought home Kokx.
Doug Nikhazy had plenty of run support and made the most of it. In the left-hander’s first five innings, he allowed only one hit. Dayton’s only runs came off a two-run homer in the sixth, Nikhazy against the next batter earned his sixth strikeout to finish his day.
Lake County had three home runs from the second through the fifth inning. Joe Naranjo blasted a solo bomb onto the lawn in deep right, Gabriel Rodriguez led off the fifth with a high-fly ball over the left-center field fence and Korey Holland in the same inning had his second home run of the series clobbering a ball to opposite field.
Raymond Burgos would keep the Dragons off the board in 2.2 innings worked. The left-hander only allowed one baserunner and totaled three strikeouts.
Entering the ninth, the Captains were up 12-2 but weren’t done scoring. Milan Tolentino would walk with the bases loaded, to make it 13-2, then Joe Naranjo stepped up. Naranjo lifted a ball to deep left-field up and over the left field wall, although originally stopping at second, the 21-year-old rounded the bases delivering his third grand slam of the season to make it 17-2.
Trey Benton collected the final three outs after a flyout, strikeout, and groundout.
The final game of this seven-game road series is tomorrow Sunday, June 26. First pitch is at 1:05 and will see Tommy Mace getting the ball for Lake County and Justin Dunn on a rehab start for Dayton.
Coverage of the game can be found on WJCU.org/Captains and the MiLB First Pitch app.