Photo Courtesy: Amy Ackerman
FOND DU LAC, WI – After Saturday night’s performance in Wausau, The Dock Spiders looked to bounce back at home on Sunday. It was Father’s Day at the ballpark and many dads were in attendance with their families and the Dock Spiders made them proud besting the Woodchucks 1-0 in what was the definition of a pitchers’ duel. Docks Spiders Right-handed pitcher Sebastian Guzman (Washington University in St. Louis) was stellar on the mound. Guzman started his outing with two straight strikeouts as he retired the Woodchucks 1-2-3 in the top of the first and second innings. The Garden Grove, California native was able to keep the Woodchucks offense at bay for six innings as he registered four strikeouts and only gave up four hits and three walks. Those four hits would be the only ones that the Woodchucks could muster all afternoon as the Dock Spiders turned to left-handed pitcher Jack Niedringhaus (Xavier) out of the bullpen.
Niedringhaus tallied one and a third innings pitched, didn’t give up any hits, and registered two strikeouts. The Dock Spiders offense was held in check by Woodchucks pitcher Ethan Pecko (Towson) for most of the game, but when they made a pitching change, the Dock Spiders made them pay. In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Spiders offense came to life as a walk issued to third basemen Jake Surane (UW-Oshkosh) put a runner aboard with one out.
After Surane stole third base with two outs in the inning, shortstop Jack Gorman stepped up the plate and delivered an RBI single that scored Surane which gave the Dock Spiders a 1-0 lead. Dock Spiders closer Joseph Chavana (Trinity) was called upon to shut down the Woodchuck’s offense and he did just that as he went one and two thirds’ innings pitched, with a strikeout. A long fly ball to left fielder Travis Strickler (Embry Riddle Aeronautical) ended the game as the Dock Spiders get their sixth win of the season. They will be back in action tomorrow night at home against the Madison Mallards. First pitch is set for 6:35 PM.
The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having recently completed its’ 29th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, over 300 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit dockspiders.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Dock Spiders as your favorite team.