HIGH SCHOOL DOUBLEHEADER SUNDAY

Greenon, Russia, National Trail, and Brookville to play at Fifth Third Field

DAYTON, Ohio– The Dayton Dragons are hosting high school baseball at Fifth Third Field for the 10th straight season in 2015. This year’s series of games will continue with a doubleheader on Sunday, April 9th starting at 1 p.m. This spring, 35 high schools will play regular season games at the home of the Dragons.

High school baseball at Fifth Third Field also serves as a fundraiser for the participating schools.  This year’s series of games will raise approximately $30,000 for the schools to help with the cost of uniforms, equipment, and bus transportation.

All games are sponsored by MAC Athletics, Inc., experts in athletic facility planning, design, construction, and equipment acquisition. Go to macathletix.com for more information on their services.

In game one, Greenon battles Russia starting at 1 p.m. Russia baseball coach Kevin Phlipot relies on eight seniors to lead the team, including senior pitchers Nolan Francis and Gavin Hoying during the season. Sunday against Greenon, Russia will give the ball to senior Jacob Pleiman.

Phlipot’s Raiders use the experience of upperclassmen with poise on defense to fuel the offense.

“We have committed only eight errors in our first eight games,” Phlipot said. “On offense we like to play small ball and be aggressive on the bases.”

Russia is 7-1 entering Sunday’s contest with Greenon.

National Trail and Brookville align for a 4 p.m. start time at Fifth Third Field Sunday. Head coach Mike Birdsall’s Brookville Blue Devils have won four of their first six games.

“I would say we are a well-rounded team,” Birdsall said. “We will take advantage of what the game gives us. We use speed and small ball.”

Brookville turns to offensive leaders senior Cody Harsman, a three-year varsity player, and junior Michael Lander. Lander, a centerfielder, powers the lineup as one of Brookville’s best hitters. Harsman and senior infielder Devin Pennington have committed to play in college. Harsman will attend Division III Bluffton University, while Pennington heads to Ohio Northern University in Austintown, Ohio.

The Dayton Dragons have been hosting the Miami Valley’s best baseball teams since 2006 and are proud to continue the tradition for a 10th year. A complete list of high school baseball games scheduled to be played at Fifth Third Field can be found at daytondragons.com.

All games are free to attend and the media are invited to cover them. Gates will open one hour prior to the first game played that day. High schools may provide their own PA announcers, cheer squads, and national anthem singers. Some even bring their own radio broadcasters to the ballpark. Participating high schools sell Dragons tickets to help raise money for their programs.

Below is the remaining schedule for 2015:

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling (937) 228-2287, by email at [email protected], or on the web at daytondragons.com

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