WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI – In a night that saw little offense, the Dock Spiders (7-5) pitching came up big to silence the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (9-4) and win 3-1.
Fond du Lac got on the board in the first inning once again, something that has become common for the Dock Spiders this season. Sam Novitske (University of Oregon) would reach after being hit by a pitch, followed by a single from second baseman Tate Kolwyck (Vanderbilt University). Both of them would advance on stolen bases to put two runners in scoring position with one out. Kolwyck’s Commodore teammate Parker Noland (Vanderbilt University) lined a shot into right field that plated Novitske to put the Dock Spiders on the board and make it 1-0.
The Rafters would make it a 1-1 game in the bottom of the second after Ryan Walstad (Sacramento State University) grounded out to first. Tim Elko (University of Mississippi) made a great play, stepping on first and coming home to try and get the double play at the plate, but Andy Garriola (Old Dominion University) just avoided the tag to score.
Fondy went back on top in the bottom of the third that started with Ryan Ritter (University of Kentucky) crushing a fly ball into left-center field for a double. Novitkse then lined a single into left that moved Ritter to third. Kolwyck hit a ground ball to third, but a fielding error let Ritter come in to score to make it 2-1.
One more insurance run came across in the top of the eighth after Elko hit a fly ball into center field that Taylor Jackson (University of Illinois) tagged and scored on that gave the Dock Spiders a 3-1 lead.
The Dock Spiders only had to use three arms in the victory, which started with Zack Lee (University of Kentucky) on the mound. Lee pitched a gem, throwing five innings and allowing only one run on three hits. Lee struck out seven batters and received the win, his first of the year.
Alex Vera (University of Illinois) came in to relieve Lee and picked up where he left off, working two innings and allowing only two hits with one strikeout.
Jack Liffrig (University of Minnesota) came in for the last two innings and shut the Rafters down, finishing with three strikeouts, no hits, and no walks. The Dock Spiders pitching struck out 12 batters in total on the night.
The Dock Spiders will return home to host the Rafters on Tuesday the 14th at Herr-Baker Field at Marian University at 6:35 pm.
The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 26th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, over 230 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB All-Star Jordan Zimmermann (DET). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.dockspiders.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Dock Spiders as your favorite team.
