Photo Courtesy: Aidan Blake
FOND DU LAC, WI – The Rafters scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning as they downed the Dock Spiders 2-0 at Herr-Baker Field on Friday night. The Dock Spiders received another great performance from starting pitcher Mason Weckler (Wisconsin-Stevens Point) as he hurled seven shutout innings and held the Rafters offense to only four hits while he struck out five batters. The Dock Spiders defense turned four double plays, two of which were in 3-6-3 fashion in the aid of Weckler. In the top of the eighth, the Dock Spiders called upon reliever Jack Niedringhaus (Xavier) and he kept the game scoreless as he struck out Aidan Brewer (UNC Greensboro) to end the half inning. The game remained deadlocked at 0-0 until the top of the ninth inning when the first two batters of the Rafters order found themselves on base. An RBI groundout from James Bornick (Marian) and an RBI single from Kyle Carlson (Piedmont) scored Brendan Bobo (Cal State Fullerton) and Orlando Lorduy (Benedictine at Mesa), which gave the Rafters a 2-0 lead. The Dock Spiders offense sputtered in the bottom of the ninth as they were retired in order.
Rafters reliever Brycen Parrish (North Alabama) earned the win, his third of the season. Dock Spiders reliever Jack Niedringhaus was tagged with his third loss of the season. The Dock Spiders fell to 28-36 on the season, 15-14 in the second half. The Dock Spiders will be back in action tomorrow night as they take on the Madison Mallards. It’s Chandler Simpson Bobblehead Giveaway night presented by Silica For Your Home. The first 500 fans through the gates will receive a Chandler Simpson Bobblehead which captures the moment he broke the Northwoods League record for most stolen bases in 2021. 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.
