By John Baldridge/Fond du Lac Dock Spiders

Madison, WI – A six-run first inning set the tone as the Dock Spiders were shut out for the first time all season, falling to the Mallards 9-0. With the loss, the Dock Spiders moved to 5-11 on the season.

Left-handed pitcher David Dean (Oklahoma) (0-1) got the start for the Dock Spiders. With runners on second and third and two outs, a ground ball hit by Jake Munroe (John A. Logan CC) to third base brought home a run due to an error, making the score 2-0. Three batters later, after Dean allowed two walks, a double by Jake Schaffner cleared the bases and extended Madison’s lead to 5-0. Schaffner later scored, increasing the lead to 6-0 after the first inning.

Madison added another run in the second inning. An error by Dock Spiders shortstop Drew Barragan (Embry-Riddle) allowed Davis Hamilton (North Dakota State) to score, giving Madison a 7-0 lead.

Right-handed pitcher Noah Tschopp (Embry-Riddle) took over in relief for the Dock Spiders in the second inning and delivered a solid performance. He went 4.0 innings, allowing just one hit and one unearned run while striking out two.

In the fifth inning, the Dock Spiders loaded the bases with one out but failed to capitalize when Kelsen Johnson (Polk State) hit into a double play, ending the inning without scoring.

Madison added two more runs in the seventh inning, bringing the score to 9-0.

Madison starter Ben Gregory (Maryville) pitched five scoreless innings, allowing four hits and striking out four. The Mallards bullpen took over and allowed just one hit over the next 4.0 innings, securing the win and shutting out the Dock Spiders for the first time this season by a final of 9-0.

The Dock Spiders will travel to Green Bay for the first time on Thursday to face the Rockers. The 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. Entering its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 26 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 350 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 (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, 2021 and 2023 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner, and two-time All-MLB first-team 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