FOND DU LAC, WI – The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders (18-15) return to Herr-Baker Field to celebrate July 4 against the Madison Mallards (18-17). All fans in attendance will receive a drawstring bag courtesy of MLB Network. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m., with coverage beginning at 4:00 on ESPN+.
TODAY’S STORYLINES
BABY, YOU’RE A FIREWORK: On Sunday night in Madison, the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders scored double-digit runs for the second straight game, defeating the Madison Mallards 12-2. All nine batters in the order reached base for the Dock Spiders, and seven of the nine recorded a hit. OF Nick Mitchell (3-5, 3 RBI), INF Jackson Loftin (2-4, 3 RBI) and INF Garrett Cutting (1-3, 2 RBI) all tallied a multi-RBI game. On the mound, RHP Reed Gallant (W, 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K) tied his career-high with seven strikeouts over four relief innings to earn the win. The win also was the third straight for the Dock Spiders, and marked the fourth straight game where the offense scored at least seven runs.
AWARD-WINNING RESULTS: On Sunday night, RHP Reed Gallant was named the Northwoods League Pitcher of the Night after his seven strikeout performance against Madison. It marks the second time a Dock Spiders pitcher has been named NWL Pitcher of the Night after RHP David Hagaman took home to honor on June 9 after eight strikeouts against the Green Bay Rockers. Over Gallant’s last two appearances, he’s struck out 14 in eight scoreless innings.
WEEKEND FIREWORKS: Over the last three games, the Dock Spiders have outscored opponents 31-6, a +25 run differential. The offense has scored at least eight runs in all three games and have scored at least 10 runs in the last two. Over that span, the offense has been paced by OF Nick Mitchell (5-8, 2 BB, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI) and C Parker Noland (4-7, 3 2B). The Dock Spiders pitching staff has compiled a 1.67 ERA over the stretch with 34 strikeouts over 27 innings.
WALK THAT WALK: During the last two games, the Dock Spiders have worked 19 walks, been hit four times, and have seen 410 pitches, an average of 4.3 pitches per plate appearance. On Saturday night, the Dock Spiders saw 69 pitches between the fifth and sixth innings. The lineup has also worked deep into opposing bullpens, forcing Madison to use six different pitchers on Sunday after the Kokomo Jackrabbits used five different pitchers on Saturday.
HOME FOR THE FOURTH: Today marks the fifth time in franchise history that the Dock Spiders will play at home on July 4. Overall, the Dock Spiders are 2-3 on America’s birthday, with wins in 2019 and 2020. INF Tate Kolwyck recorded the most recent two-homer game at Herr-Baker Field on July 4, 2019 during a 15-2 Dock Spiders win against Green Bay.
MEET YOU HALFWAY: Today’s game marks the final game in the first half of the regular season. Due to a postponed game on June 15 against Wisconsin Rapids, the Dock Spiders are set to play 37 games in the second half, which begins on Wednesday when the Dock Spiders take on the Kokomo Jackrabbits in Kokomo, Indiana.
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER MATCH-UP
RHP DAVID HAGAMAN (FDL) is set to face the Mallards for the third time this year in his third home start of the year. In six appearances this year, Hagaman has yet to throw more than 70 pitches, throwing a season-high 68 on June 9 in a dominant eight strikeout performance against Green Bay over five innings.
RHP KADE LANCOUR (MAD) will make his sixth start of the year, and third against the Dock Spiders. In two starts against Fond du Lac, he’s allowed four earned runs in 10.1 innings with 10 strikeouts.
