LAKE COUNTY 8, DRAGONS 4
Click here for the box score
Lake County (R-H-E): 8-13-0; Dayton (R-H-E): 4-6-0
Win: Xavier Martinez (2-0); Loss: Andrew Shaffner (0-1); Save: None
HR: Dayton: Ryan McCrystal (2nd, 1 on base in first inning); Mason Neville (9th, 0 on base in second inning). HR: Lake County: Welbyn Francisca (14th, 1 on base in second inning).
Eastlake, Ohio—The Lake County Captains scored six runs in the second inning and went on to defeat the Dayton Dragons 8-4 on Tuesday night in the opener to a seven-game series.
Cincinnati Reds 2026 first round draft pick Justin Lebron made his professional debut in the game and had hits on the first two swings of his pro career. Lebron finished the night going 2 for 5 with a single and double.
Recap: After a 66 minute rain delay at the start, the Dragons jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Justin Lebron, the Reds first round draft pick in July, singled to left on the first swing of his professional career, and Ryan McCrystal followed with a two-run home run to right. It was McCrystal’s second home run of the season with the Dragons.
After Lake County scored one run in the bottom of the first, Dayton’s Mason Neville lined a home run to right field in the top of the second to give the Dragons a 3-1 lead. The homer was Neville’s ninth with the Dragons and his 18th of the year in the Reds organization.
But Lake County exploded for six runs in the bottom of the second inning. Dragons starting pitcher Ovis Portes walked the first two batters in the inning to bring the top of the order to the plate. Andrew Shaffner replaced Portes and surrendered hits to the first four batters he faced as Lake County jumped ahead 7-3.
The Captains led 8-3 going to the fifth when the Dragons mounted their final threat of the night. Dayton scored one run when John Michael Faile singled, went to third on a double by Tyson Lewis, and scored on Marcus Smith’s sacrifice fly to make it 8-4. A pair of walks loaded the bases with two outs, but Jacob Friend struck out to strand three runners and the Dragons did not collect a hit over the final four innings.
Shaffner (0-1) was charged with the loss. He allowed four runs on five hits in an inning of work. Deivi Villafana worked four innings out of the Dayton bullpen and allowed just one run on five hits. Jacob Edwards closed out the night with two scoreless innings, striking out four.
The Dragons finished with six hits. Lebron was the only player with more than one.
Up Next: The Dragons (18-23, 57-50) continue their series at Lake County on Wednesday afternoon at 12:05 pm against the Captains (19-22, 57-49). The series will then feature a double on Thursday and continue through Sunday, August 16.
The next home game at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District in Tuesday, August 18 against the Quad Cities River Bandits at 7:05 pm. 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.