Photo Courtesy: Ava Schiffert
FOND DU LAC, WI – After getting back in the win column on Sunday against the Woodchucks, the Dock Spiders were looking to make it two in a row on Monday night against the Madison Mallards. After holding the Mallards offense at bay for the first couple of innings, the Dock Spiders got the scoring started in the bottom of the fourth. A walk from second basemen Jack Gorman (Presbyterian) and then a double off the bat of left fielder Travis Strickler (Embry Riddle Aeronautical) advanced Gorman to third base.
After the double, designated hitter Jared Heinzen skied a ball deep into the outfield for a sacrifice fly that scored Gorman, which gave the Dock Spiders a 1-0 lead. Then it was Teddy Deters who stepped up and delivered a ground ball that scored Strickler which made the score 2-0 Dock Spiders. Peck then shoved for a few more innings before being taken out in the top of the eighth, a season high for innings pitched and strikeouts for Peck as he tallied six strikeouts.
That was where everything unraveled for the Dock Spiders. Right-handed pitcher Tanner Smith (Presbyterian) was called upon to shut down the Mallards offense for the rest of the game. Smith started off his outing shotty, as he walked the bases loaded. Smith was pulled out of the game and left hander Kade Walker (Cuesta College) was brought in to play firemen. Walker gave up a single to Owen Jackson (Toledo) that scored Jake Holcroft (Portland). The next batter Isaiah Jackson was hit by a pitch which scored Keenan Taylor (Purdue) tying the game up. The Mallards proceeded to score five more runs on singles and take a commanding 7-2 lead. The Dock Spiders were unable to muster any more runs as they were held to only two hits on the night. Both teams will be back in action tomorrow afternoon in Madison, first pitch is slated for 12:35 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.
