By John Baldridge/Fond du Lac Dock Spiders

WAUSAU, WI – Right-handed pitcher Justin Doyle (Northwestern) delivered a stellar performance, pitching 7.0 innings of shutout baseball to lead the Dock Spiders to a 4-1 victory over the Wausau Woodchucks on Saturday. This win split the two-game series between the teams and improved the Dock Spiders’ record to 14-23 for the season and 1-3 in the second half.

The Dock Spiders opened the scoring in the second inning. Caden Shapiro (Princeton) singled and then stole second base. Cade Sikoski (Fairmont State) followed with a single, driving in Shapiro to make the score 1-0.

In the fifth inning, the Dock Spiders extended their lead with three more runs. Drew Prosek (Gulf Coast State) led off with a double, and Drew Howard (Evansville) followed with a single. Travis Strickler (Embry-Riddle) then delivered a two-run single, increasing the lead to 3-0. Strickler advanced to second later in the inning, and a single from Connor Conney (Holy Cross) brought him home, making the score 4-0.

Justin Doyle continued to dominate on the mound, striking out three batters in the seventh inning before exiting the game. Over his seven innings of work, Doyle struck out nine batters, allowed no runs, and gave up only four hits.

The score remained 4-0 until the ninth inning. With two outs and runners on first and second, right-handed pitcher Townsend Stevenson (Washington University in St. Louis) was called upon to get the final out. A passed ball and a throwing error by catcher Cade Sikoski allowed a run to score, ending the shutout and making the score 4-1. However, Stevenson struck out Max Galvin (Oklahoma State) to end the game and pick up the save, securing the Dock Spiders’ 4-1 victory.

The Dock Spiders head to Green Bay for a two-game series on Sunday before returning home on Tuesday to face Madison. Ladies on Tuesday night, can plan on additional ticket and drink offers at the ballpark courtesy of Quest Interiors. Plus, all fans can enjoy live music by D. Willy and the Souvenirs before and after the game! Additional Tuesday, is Bang For Your Buck with 107.1 The Bull – Enjoy hot dogs, 16 oz. Pepsi products, and 16 oz. domestic draft beers (for those of legal drinking age) for $2 each.

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