Photo Courtesy: Amy Ackerman
FOND DU LAC, WI – The Dock Spiders were riding high on a three-game win streak heading into Thursday night’s matchup with the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. With right-handed pitcher Amar Tsengeg (UT Dallas) on the mound, the vibe around the Dock Spiders was quiet confidence. However, it was the Rafters that struck first in the top of the third using an RBI single off the bat of outfielder Brendan Bobo (Cal State Fullerton) that brought second basemen Ty Johnson (McClennan Community College) around to score, which had given the Rafters a 1-0 lead. The Rafters hit pay dirt again in the top of the fifth inning as first basemen Jack Basseer (Pepperdine) roped an RBI double to centerfield that brought Ty Johnson into score again.
After the Rafters took a 2-0 lead, The Dock Spiders made a call to the bullpen for Mason Weckler (Wisconsin-Stevens Point). Weckler never found his footing as he surrendered a walk, and then a hit by pitch, followed by another walk that brought Jack Basseer across the plate for the third and final run of the night. The Dock Spiders were able to answer the bell in the bottom of the fifth inning as an RBI single from second basemen Luke Novitske (Cal State East Bay) that brought catcher Paul Smith (Rice) into score the lone run for the Dock Spiders. The offense had some chances down the stretch, but a flyout to the left fielder from Dock Spiders centerfielder Connor Cooney (Holy Cross) with runners on the corners, gave the Rafters the final out. Both teams will be back in action tomorrow night at Witter Field. First pitch is slated for 6:35 P.M.
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. Now in its’ 30th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 24 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 325 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.