Photo Courtesy: Aidan Blake
FOND DU LAC, WI – The Dock Spiders had a 6-3 lead in the bottom of the ninth when the Rafters scored four runs to walk off the Dock Spiders 7-6. The Dock Spiders used a two-run home run off the bat of Parker Knoll (Lawrence) which put the Dock Spiders up 2-0 in the top of the first. The Rafters responded in the bottom of the first as Aidan Brewer (UNC Greensboro) and Brendan Bobo (Cal State Fullerton) cranked back-to-back home runs and tied the game. Bobo’s bomb was a special one as he now has the most home runs all-time in Northwoods League history with 29 homers in two seasons. The Rafters struck again in the bottom of the second as they notched another run, off an RBI double from David Smigelski (LaGrange) that scored Jack Gifford (Cabrillo) and put the Rafters in front 3-2. After a 40-minute weather delay, both teams struggled to find runs until the top of fifth, when the Dock Spiders used a sacrifice fly from Jake Surane (Wisconsin-Oshkosh) that scored Graiden West (Rice) and tied the game at three apiece. The Dock Spiders scored two more runs across the sixth and seventh innings, capped off by an RBI double from Jack Peterson (Trinity). The Dock Spiders held onto their 5-3 lead until the top of the ninth when they added an insurance run. Brady Katterhagen (Wisconsin-Platteville) lined an RBI double into right field which scored Parker Knoll and gave the Dock Spiders a 6-3 lead. The Rafters ambushed Dock Spiders reliever Zach Silfies (Elizabethtown) in the bottom of the ninth as they tallied four runs, capped off by a walk-off single from Anthony Galason (Coastal Carolina) as the Rafters took the 7-6 victory.
Rafters reliever Kyle Poissoit (Hendrix) earned the win, his first of the season. Dock Spiders closer Zach Silfies was tagged with his second loss of the season. The Dock Spiders fell to 28-35 on the season, 15-13 in the second half. With the win, The Rafters have taken sole possession of first place in the Great Lakes West Division.The Dock Spiders drop=ed to third place in the standings. The Dock Spiders will be back at home on Friday night as they take on the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. It’s Rally Towel Giveaway night presented by NEW Manufacturing Alliance with post game fireworks presented by Lamers Bus Lines. 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.
