By John Baldridge/Fond du Lac Dock Spiders

Fond du Lac, WI – The Dock Spiders dropped the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday at Herr-Baker Field, falling to Battle Creek with a final score of 6-4. This loss puts the Dock Spiders at 7-16 for the season.

The scoring started in the second inning when Drew Prosek (Gulf Coast State) hit a sacrifice fly, allowing Drew Barragan (Embry-Riddle) to score, putting the Dock Spiders ahead 1-0.

Battle Creek responded in the fifth inning with three runs. The rally included RBI singles from Xavier Ulrich (Wagner College), Ben Fierenzi (Long Island University), and Mason Hamlin (University of Texas Permian Basin), giving the Battle Jacks a 3-1 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Dock Spiders reclaimed the lead by scoring three runs, highlighted by a two-run double from Jake Surane (UW-Oshkosh), pushing the Dock Spiders ahead 4-3.

Noah Tschopp started on the mound for Fond du Lac and delivered a strong performance, retiring the first 12 batters he faced. He pitched 6.0 innings, allowing five hits and three runs while striking out six.

Battle Creek tied the game in the seventh inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Alex Fernandes (University of Memphis) hit a single that brought home a run, evening the score at 4-4. RHP Austin Kutz (Canisius College) then retired the next batter to end the inning without further damage.

The score remained tied until the ninth inning. With runners on second and third and two outs, a wild pitch allowed Ben Fierenzi to score, giving Battle Creek a 5-4 lead. The Battle Jacks added another insurance run in the same inning, extending their lead to 6-4.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Dock Spiders managed to bring the tying run to the plate but were unable to score, falling 6-4.

The second game of the doubleheader is scheduled to start at 6:35 PM on Thursday evening. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a snapback hat, courtesy of Envision Greater Fond du Lac.

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