FOND DU LAC, WI – In the first home doubleheader of the year, the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders (22-16, 3-1) take on the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (32-7, 3-1) at Herr-Baker Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. in game one, with first pitch in game two slated to be 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. Today is also ACW Wrestling Day at the ballpark with an appearance from WWE superstar Hornswoggle. Coverage of both games begin at 1:00 on the Northwoods League Baseball Network.

TODAY’S STORYLINES

LET’S PLAY TWO: The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders welcome in the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters for a Sunday afternoon doubleheader, with both games scheduled for seven innings. The doubleheader was necessitated by the June 15 rain out between the two teams at Herr-Baker Field. It marks the second doubleheader played by the Dock Spiders this year. They split their previous doubleheader with the Madison Mallards on June 16.

BATTLE AT THE TOP: Today’s doubleheader marks the fourth game between the Dock Spiders and Rafters this year, with both teams tied for first in the Great Lakes West Division entering today. The Dock Spiders had their seven-game winning streak snapped on Saturday night, while the Rafters had their five-game win streak snapped in a loss at Rockford. Today’s match-up features two of the top hitters across the Northwoods League, as Dock Spiders OF Nick Mitchell (.374/.471/.519) goes up against SS Ben Ross, the league-leader in average (.423/.503/.657).

THREE’S COMPANY: On Saturday night, INF Branden Comia became the first Dock Spider in 2022 to tally three doubles in a single game, and became the third different player to tally three extra-base hits in a game. It also marked the eighth consecutive game that the Dock Spiders have tallied at least three extra-base hits.  

THIS MAN IS ON FIRE: After another three-hit night on Friday, OF Nick Mitchell notched his sixth multi-hit game in a row, and raised his average to .374, fifth-best in the Northwoods League. In 30 starts, Mitchell has recorded a multi-hit game 15 times, a team high. Over his current stretch, he’s hitting .593 (16-27) with four doubles, three triples and eight RBI.

GAME 1 STARTING PITCHING MATCH-UP

RHP TYLER TORNBERG (FDL) is set to make his first start since March 27, 2021 at Morris College in game one. In eight appearances this year out of the bullpen, Tornberg has allowed just five hits, and has failed to allow a hit over each of his last three appearances.

LHP CAM NOLET (WIR) will make his fifth start of the year after he put together three scoreless innings on July 4 at Green Bay, his first scoreless outing since June 8 against Wausau. Today marks his fourth straight road appearance.

GAME 2 STARTING PITCHING MATCH-UP

LHP DAVID DEAN (FDL) makes his first start of the summer in game two after he made seven this spring for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. Dean hasn’t allowed a run in four of his last six outing, but allowed a run in an inning against the Rafters in his only appearance against them, on June 14.

RHP JAKE DAHLE (WIR) goes in game two in his fifth start of the year. Last time out, Dahle allowed two runs in three innings on July 4. He’s one of five pitchers on the Rafters roster with at least 25 strikeouts, with 26 over 22 innings.