Photo Courtesy: Aidan Blake
FOND DU LAC, WI – The Dock Spiders surrendered the lead late as the Rafters scored four runs in the sixth and seventh innings which carried them to the 8-6 victory. The Dock Spiders got the party started early on, as they scored one run in the top of the first as shortstop Jack Gorman (Presbyterian) roped an RBI double that scored Connor Cooney (Holy Cross). However, the Rafters countered as they put three runs on the board and took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the inning after three straight singles off of Dock Spiders starter Joseph Chavana (Trinity). The Rafters ended up with a 4-1 lead after they scored again in the bottom of the second, then the skies opened up and rain poured down. After a short delay Chavana settled in and tallied seven strikeouts while the Dock Spiders offense came alive in the top of the fourth. Second baseman Jacob Anderson (Michigan State) destroyed a ball over the left field wall for his first home run of the season. The Dock Spiders scored four more runs in the top of the fifth, led by a three-run home run off the bat of right fielder Jared Heinzen (Wisconsin-Parkside) which gave the Dock Spiders a 6-4 lead. The Rafters tied it up in the bottom of the sixth as third baseman Jorge De Goti (Indiana) cracked a single that scored Anthony Galason (Coastal Carolina). The Dock Spiders called on closer Zach Silfies (Elizabethtown) to shut it down. After the Rafters put two more runs up in the bottom of the seventh off of Silfies, they held the Dock Spiders offense scoreless the rest of the way through as they escaped with an 8-6 victory. Rafters reliever Johnny Anservitz (Notre Dame College) received the win, his first of the season, while Dock Spiders reliever Jack Zupfer (St. Thomas) was tagged with his third loss of the season. Rafters closer Blake Barker (Seton Hill) was credited with his second save of the season.
The Dock Spiders drop to 18-29 on the season. The Dock Spiders will be back at home on Saturday night when they take on the Lakeshore Chinooks. It’s Princess night at Herr-Baker Field. Some of your favorite princess characters will be available for meet and greet opportunities and a special pre-game tea party! Be on the lookout for special ticket packages. Kids will also be allowed to run the bases after the game presented by Grande Cheese and A&W. A player high-five line and a treat from A&W will await each participant at home plate. Tickets are currently available at dockspiders.com or by calling the ticket office at (920) 907-9833. First pitch is scheduled 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.
