Outfielder makes spectacular catch

With a season full of highlight-reel plays already in the books, Dayton Dragons centerfielder Michael Siani made his most impressive catch on Tuesday.

In the top of the third inning, Bowling Green’s Russ Olive smashed a ball to left centerfield that Siani didn’t think he’d have a chance to catch.

“Off the bat, I kind of took a step in, kind of falsestepped and then realized it was hit pretty good,” Siani said. “I didn’t think I had a chance. I was just going to go back and get a piece of it, maybe see if I could keep it front.

“As I got closer, I was like, ‘All right, let’s go for it, be aggressive.’ ”

Siani then sped to his right, leaped into the air and caught the ball as it started to fly past him.

“I didn’t really see it go into my glove, it was kind of behind me,” Siani said. “I just felt it and that was that . ... I didn’t think I was going to get to that one. I think that was probably my best one this year.”

Siani’s catch was No. 3 on Tuesday night’s ESPN SportsCenter top 10 plays.

Even pitcher Nick Lodolo was surprised Siani tracked down the ball. As the ball tailed away from Siani, Lodolo didn’t think his centerfielder would make the play.

“That’s probably one of the best plays I’ve had behind me in a long time,” he said. “That just shows what kind of athlete he is.”

Siani, a 2018 fourth-round draft pick from Glenside, Pa., went 1-for-4 with two RBIs as the Dragons beat the Bowling Green Hot Rods 6-1 at Fifth Third Field.

“Every night he gives us something exciting,” said Dragons manager Luis Bolivar. “He’s a very exciting player. I love the way he plays and I love the way he works. That was a great play right there. I’m very pleased with how he’s developing so far and he’s only going to keep getting better.”