By John Baldridge/Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
Wisconsin Rapids, WI – The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders picked up their fourth consecutive win on Thursday night at Witter Field in Wisconsin Rapids, defeating the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 6-0. This victory marked their first shutout win of the season, with the win the Dock Spiders record improved to 11-17.
The Dock Spiders opened the scoring in the first inning with a two-run home run to right field by Parker Knoll (Lawrence University).
The score remained 2-0 until the fifth inning, when the Dock Spiders added another run. Preston Knott (Northwestern University) scored on a passed ball, making it 3-0.
Starting pitcher RHP Noah Tschopp (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) delivered a dominant performance in his second start of the season. He exited the game after five innings, having allowed only four hits, no runs, and struck out two batters.
The Dock Spiders’ bullpen took over in the sixth inning and continued to shut down the Rafters. RHP Austin Kutz (Canisius College), Deuce Musial (Valparaiso University), and Xerian Ximinies (Florida A&M University) combined to pitch four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit.
In the ninth inning, the Dock Spiders extended their lead with RBI singles from Preston Knott, Parker Knoll (his third RBI of the game), and Adam Cootway (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater), pushing the score to 6-0.
Despite the Rafters’ efforts, including a double from Aiden Teel (University of Virginia), the first extra base hit of the game in the bottom of the ninth, Ximinies managed to retire the next two batters, securing the Dock Spiders’ shutout win.
The Dock Spiders return home on Friday for the first of two consecutive games at Herr-Baker Field against Wisconsin Rapids. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m, with post-game fireworks presented by Destination Lake Winnebago Region.
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