“It is a big jump to come to this league from high school or college,” Bolivar said. “It is a big adjustment and the hard part for them is to go through tough stretches like this. They have to realize that baseball is an everyday thing and they have to learn to let it go and come back the next day and get better.”
The loss was the second straight to Lake County to dropped the Dragons to 15-32 on the season.
Dayton had runners in scoring position in four innings, three times with one or less outs, and couldn’t find the timely hit to push runs across the plate.
“It has been hard to get going,” Bolivar said. “We get some hits and could have a big rally, but we are just not getting that hit we need.”
While the Dragons may not be swinging it well, they are slinging it well.
Starter Connor Curtis went four innings, allowing four hits and single runs in the third and fourth before giving way to Andrew McDonald and Matt Pidich.
“The pitching staff has been getting a lot better,” Bolivar said. “They are more aggressive and are pitching to contact and getting better results and I like that.”
McDonald, a Mason High School graduate, allowed five hits and two earned runs in his first two innings with the Dragons after being promoted from extended spring training camp in Arizona.
“It is good to have him here,” Bolivar said. “We will see how he does, but for his first outing, he showed that he has good stuff. He will be able to compete here. He’ll be fine.”
Miguel Hernandez had two of Dayton’s eight hits.
Dayton also committed two errors and had some communication difficulties on other plays.
“The hard part is keeping them consistent the whole game,” Bolivar said. “They have to concentrate out there and stay locked into the details the entire time they are out there.”
The Dragons start a four-game series in Bowling Green on Friday night.
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