By John Baldridge/Fond du Lac Dock Spiders

Wausau, WI – The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders displayed an explosive offense on Friday night, overpowering the Wausau Woodchucks with a 17-7 victory at Athletic Park. A nine-run seventh inning secured the win for the Dock Spiders, improving their record to 8-17.

The action started in the third inning when Tyler Neises (Georgia Tech) launched a two-run home run to left field, his second of the season, giving the Dock Spiders an early 2-0 lead. The Woodchucks responded in the bottom half of the inning. A wild pitch from Dock Spiders’ starter RHP Clay Kennedy (McNeese State) allowed a run, trimming the lead to 2-1. Kennedy had a solid outing, pitching 4.2 innings, giving up just one run, and striking out four.

In the fourth inning, the Dock Spiders regained their two-run advantage. Drew Barragan (Embry-Riddle) drove in Tyler Neises with a double in the fifth, extending the lead to 4-1. The offensive onslaught continued in the sixth inning, where a combination of a wild pitch, an RBI single by Quinten Perilli (Elizabethtown), and a fielder’s choice pushed the lead to 7-1. Brayden Smith (Iowa Western CC) countered for the Woodchucks with a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the sixth making the score 7-2.

The Dock Spiders’ bats exploded in the seventh inning. With two outs and the bases loaded, they ignited a two-out rally. A walk to Quinten Perilli scored a run, followed by Tyler Neises’ single that brought in two more runs. Drew Barragan and Donavan Canterberry (Xavier) each singled to drive in a run, setting the stage for Tyler Stack (Xavier), who cleared the bases with a three-run homer to left field. The Dock Spiders sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning, collecting five hits and extending their lead to 16-2.

In the bottom of the seventh, Bryce Hubbard (Northwest Florida State) hit a two-run homer for the Woodchucks, making the score 16-4. The Dock Spiders added a final home run in the eighth inning, a solo shot by Preston Knott (Northwestern) to right field, his first of the season, making it 17-4. Wausau managed to score three more runs in the bottom of the eighth with a three-run homer by Johan St. Antonie (Pittsburgh), but the Dock Spiders held on for the convincing 17-7 win.

The Dock Spiders will return to Herr-Baker Field on Saturday to face Wausau again, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Fans can look forward to the team donning Rebel Flight Suit-themed Star Wars jerseys, which will be available for auction to benefit Hope on the Block Fond du Lac. Additionally, post-game festivities include kids running the bases, presented by Grande Cheese and A&W, with a high-five line and a treat at home plate for each participant.

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