FOND DU LAC, WI – The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders (15-15) continue their five-game home stand as they open up a two-game series with the Kokomo Jackrabbits (9-22). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., with fireworks to follow after the game presented by Michaels Corporation. Coverage of tonight’s game will begin at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
TODAY’S STORYLINES
STAYING WITH THE EAST: After wrapping up a two-game series with the Kalamazoo Growlers, the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders welcome in the Kokomo Jackrabbits for the first time since their inaugural 2019 season. It marks the second opponent that the Dock Spiders have played from the Great Lakes East Division. The Jackrabbits come into today’s game off a series split with the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, losing in the series finale on Thursday night, 7-2. The Dock Spiders come into today on a three game losing streak, with two of the three losses by just a run. The Dock Spiders also hold the sixth-best offense in the Northwoods League by rune per game, while the Jackrabbits are 21st out of 22 teams.
WHOLE LOTTA RUNS: The Kalamazoo Growlers cliched the Great Lakes East Division First Half title in a 24-7 win over the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders on Wednesday night at Herr-Baker Field. The win also clinched the season series for the Growlers. The 31 combined runs were tied for the 13th-most in a single game in Northwoods League history. The First inning featured 10 runs, with the Dock Spiders scoring four in the bottom half of the inning after the Growlers opened the scoring with a six-run top half of the first.
BAG SECURED: On Thursday night, Jackson Loftin became the first Dock Spiders player in 2022 to steal three bases in a game, setting the single-season high for the year. Loftin stole second twice, and third once. Thursday night marked the third time in Loftin’s Northwoods League career that he’s stolen at least three bases in a game. His career-high is five, set on August 6, 2021 against the Madison Mallards.
THE NEW ARMS: The Dock Spiders used three different position players to close out the game on Thursday night. Garrett Cutting, Evan Smith and Kyte McDonald all made their collegiate pitching debuts in the late innings. Smith recorded a looking strikeout with an 89 MPH fastball, while McDonald threw the slowest recorded pitch by a Dock Spider this year at 38 MPH. Smith allowed just one run on a hit and a walk during his inning of work, while Cutting retired the first two batters he faced and McDonald allowed just two runs.
TRIPLE DIGITS: On Thursday night, Cole Messina became the first Dock Spiders player to record an exit velocity at triple digits, lining out to second on a ball that came off the bat at 100 MPH. This year, Messina has had five different balls recorded at over a 95 MPH exit velocity, including 412 ft home run on June 14, 2022 against Wisconsin Rapids. The home run was the farthest recorded home run distance by a Dock Spiders hitter this summer.
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHING MATCH-UP
RHP KENNY CAMPBELL (FDL): After making his first start since 2018 last Sunday, Campbell makes his second start of the year, and first home start. In his last five appearances, Cambell has allowed just two runs over 6.1 innings with seven strikeouts.
RHP CHASE BARSOTTI (KMO): Barsotti makes his second start, and eighth appearance of the year. He’s pitched into a third inning twice this year, most recently on June 9 at Battle Creek.
