By John Baldridge/Fond du Lac Dock Spiders

FOND DU LAC, WI – A late ninth-inning rally for the Dock Spiders fell short against Madison on Tuesday at Herr-Baker Field, ending in a 6-4 loss. The defeat dropped the Dock Spiders to 15-25 on the season and 2-5 in the second half.

Madison started the scoring in the first inning with a single from Cal Fisher (Florida State) that brought in two runs, making the score 2-0.

The Mallards extended their lead with back-to-back singles with two outs, the second from Frankie Carney (California Irvine), which scored Will Verling (Louisville) and made the score 3-0. The hit ended starter RHP Amar Tsengeg’s outing; he went 5.2 innings, allowing nine hits, three runs, and striking out three.

The Dock Spiders got on the scoreboard in the seventh inning with a solo home run to left field by Aiden Jolley (Georgia Tech), making the score 3-1.

In the eighth inning, Madison added to their lead after loading the bases to start the inning. A single from Cal Fisher brought in two runs, making the score 5-1. Three batters later, a double by Davis Hamilton (North Dakota State) brought home another run, extending the lead to 6-1.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Dock Spiders left the bases loaded with a strikeout, closing the threat and keeping the score at 6-1.

In the ninth, the Dock Spiders got the first three batters on with three walks. The next batter, Donavan Canterberry (Xavier) was hit by a pitch, bringing in a run and making the score 6-2. RHP Holden Harris (Texas Christian) then came in and got two strikeouts, leading to Parker Knoll (Lawrence), who singled into center, bringing home two runs and bringing the tying run to bat. A walk to Tyler Neises (Georgia Tech) set the stage for Aiden Jolley (Georgia Tech) with the bases loaded. However, Harris was able to strike out Jolley, ending the Dock Spiders’ threat and securing the 6-4 victory for Madison.

The Dock Spiders head to Madison on Wednesday, with the first pitch 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