FOND DU LAC, WI – After a three-game home stand, the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders (22-18, 3-3) travel to Witter Field to take on the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (34-7, 5-1). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., with coverage starting at 6:20 on the Dock Spiders Radio Network.
TODAY’S STORYLINES
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Today marks the 22nd road game of the year for the Dock Spiders, and the fifth road game over their last nine. On the road this year, the Dock Spiders have put up a 14-7 record, the second-best out of all Great Lakes West Division teams, trailing only the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. The Dock Spiders have hit 10 of their 16 home runs on the year, including three from 1B Grant Hussey to lead all Dock Spiders hitters. The offense is averaging 7.1 runs per game away from Herr-Baker Field, compared to 6.4 per game at home.
BACK AT WITTER: The Dock Spiders are back at Witter Field for the first time since June 22, when 1B Grant Hussey and INF Daylen Reyes both tallied a home run in the game. Hussey has homered in both games in Wisconsin Rapids, both in the first inning with no one on and two outs.
DOUBLE THE GAMES, DOUBLE THE RECAP: The Dock Spiders fell in both ends of their double-header on Sunday afternoon against the Rafters, falling 10-6 in game one and 9-3 in game two. The losses saw the Dock Spiders drop to .500 for the first time in the second half. On offense, OF Andrew Sojka and OF Tyeler Hawkins both hit their first home runs of the summer. Sojka’s blast was the farthest home run hit by a Dock Spider this year at 414 feet. Over the two games, the Dock Spiders lineup struck out just nine times.
SPIN IT TO WIN IT: During game two of Sunday’s doubleheader, RHP Noah Magee tossed 2.1 scoreless innings with two strikeouts. The outing marked his longest since his 2021 seasons at Hinds Community College. Magee also put up incredible advanced metrics during his performance. The spin rate (revolutions per minute) on his curveball was measured on average at a ridiculous 3074 RPM, the highest average on a curveball by over 300 RPM out of all Northwoods League pitchers this year. The average MLB curveball features a spin rate of 2500-2600 RPM.
AFTER TODAY: Tomorrow night, Dock Spiders return home to Herr-Baker Field to take on the Madison Mallards before a two-game road trip at Madison and Lakeshore. Today starts a four game home-stand for the Rafters, with a two-game set against the Lakeshore Chinooks starting tomorrow night.
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHING MATCH-UP
LHP ALEX VERA (FDL) will make his first start for the Dock Spiders since June 28, 2021 against the Lakeshore Chinooks. The Illinois product has made just three career starts, all with the Dock Spiders, including a career-high five innings against the Rockford Rivets during a start in 2020.
RHP NICK TORRES (WIR) is set to make his fourth start of the year and seventh appearance. Over his last two appearances, Torres didn’t allow a run over seven innings, and hasn’t allowed an earned run in four of his six appearances.
