FOND DU LAC, WI – The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders (11-12) continue their five game road trip against the Kalamazoo Growlers (14-10) in the series finale at Homer Stryker Field in Kalamazoo, Michigan. First pitch is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. CT, with coverage beginning at 5:20 p.m. on the Dock Spiders Radio Network.
TODAY’S STORYLINES
THE KZOO OPENER: With the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders down 7-2 heading into the ninth to the Kalamazoo Growlers, the Dock Spiders scored three runs on two hits before the Growlers tallied the final out with the tying run on-deck in a series-opening 7-5 loss for Fond du Lac on Thursday night. For the third straight game, the Dock Spiders scored first, tallying a run in the third inning to take a 1-0 lead. The Growlers would then explode on offense for seven runs between the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. The Growlers would also send eight men to the plate in a three run sixth inning.
HITTING THE CENTURY MARK: On Thursday night, Alejandro Macario made his 22nd appearance of the year in a Dock Spiders uniform. The appearance marked his 100th career Northwoods League game. The Nova Southeastern product has played each of the last three years in the league, playing 21 games with Wausau in 2020, 57 with Eau Claire last year and 22 with the Dock Spiders this year. The all-time record for most games played in the NWL is 227 by Chad Frk, who set the mark with the Waterloo Bucks and Madison Mallards from 2001-2004.
A LONG WAIT: After tallying two hits last night, Garrett Cutting recorded his first multi-hit game since August 11, 2021 with the Wenatchee Apple Sox of the West Coast League against the Yakima Valley Pippins. Cutting did not record an at-bat this year at Oregon during his freshman year, but graduated high school as the top shortstop recruit in Nevada by Perfect Game. His appearance on Wednesday against Wisconsin Rapids was the first appearance in a game since last August.
ROAD WARRIORS: Coming into today, the Dock Spiders have played seven of their last nine games on the road, and have two games remaining on their current five day road trip. This road trip is the longest of the year for the Dock Spiders, as they’ll return home on Sunday to play seven home games in nine days to finish out the first half.
THE ROAD AHEAD: After tonight’s game, the Dock Spiders will travel to Wausau to take on the Woodchucks at Athletic Park on Saturday night. It begins a stretch of four straight games against opponents with records below .500, with two against the Woodchucks and two against the Green Bay Rockers. The Growlers will play five of their next six on the road, starting with a game in Battle Creek against the Battle Jacks on Saturday night. The Growlers and Dock Spiders will meet for a two-game series at Herr-Baker Field on June 29-30.
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHING MATCH-UP
LHP KALEB HILL (FDL): Hill makes his second start of the year after he became the first Dock Spiders pitcher this year to throw at least seven shutout innings. The Charleston Southern lefty also didn’t allow a walk in his first start against the Chinooks.
RHP TANNER KNAPP (KZO): The Ball State righty makes his fourth start of the summer, and the first since June 5 against a team not named the Battle Creek Battle Jacks. Knapp’s issued at least three walks in every start.
