The Dayton Dragons treated the Buccs and the Wildcats to a memorable night by opening up their ball park to the two small high school programs.

Gene Studebaker crosses home plate for an inside-the-park home run.

On a night where victory wasn't the primary objective, the Buccs run ruled Houston 14-2 in five innings to improve to 12-3 on the season.

"We wanted to win, but it was more important to just have fun and make sure everybody played," said Covington coach Mitch Hirsch. "It's not every day you get to play in a ball park like that and we wanted the kids to enjoy it."

It was a game of long ball for the Buccs as Gene Studebaker drilled a first inning inside-the-park home run and four other Covington hits would have likely been home runs on a high school field.

"We hit the ball harder tonight than we have all year," said Hirsch. "Heck, with the way we played tonight I wish we could play on this field every night."

One hit, a triple by David Moss, appeared to clear the left field wall as it bounced off the top of the yellow rail and back onto the field. It was ruled in play and Moss was forced to hold up at third.

"I thought it was out," said Moss, shaking his head inside the dugout. "I was jogging around the bases because I thought it was out. Heck, everyone thought it was out."

Hirsch agreed.

"Yeah, I thought it was out," he said. "But they (the umpires) said it has to go over the yellow stripe to be a home run. But, I thought it hit off of the glass over the stripe. That was a heck of a shot because it didn't only go far, it was pretty high too."

It was obvious the kids were looking for the long ball.

"I think they were," Hirsch responded. "If you do hit one out here, that's one thing you can tell everybody. I think Studebaker and Moss especially were trying to hit it out."

Even with the monster shots flying off the bats, the highlight of the evening happened before the game even started.

The Buccs' number one fan Dennis "Scooby" Willoughby was chosen to throw out the first pitch.

After being introduced, Scooby strolled out onto the mound. He brought laughter to the crowd as he shook off the sign from Buccaneer catcher, Tyler Kanet. Once he found the signal he liked, Scooby made his pitch and received a standing ovation.

"That was good for everybody," Hirsch said of Scooby's big moment. "The kids really enjoyed seeing him out there and having him on the bench with us. He means so much to our kids and the community that it was nice for him to have that opportunity. The kids signed the ball and we also gave him a hat."

Thanks to the Dragons, the kids got a taste of what its like to play on a big stage. For many of the young men on both teams, this was the highlight of their careers.

For Scooby, it may have been the conclusion of his athletic glory.

"I'm retiring," laughed Scooby on his way out of the stadium after the game. "I'm too old for this."

Scoring by innings:
Houston ..............0......0......0......2......0 - 2
Covington ...........2......3......0......9......– - 14