By John Baldridge/Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
FOND DU LAC, WI – The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders held on for a 5-4 win on Sunday over the Minnesota Mud Puppies at Herr-Baker Field. With the victory, the Dock Spiders’ record improved to 17-29 overall, and 4-9 in the second half.
The Dock Spiders started the scoring in the third inning with a single from Travis Strickler (Embry-Riddle) that brought home a run, making the score 1-0. In the fourth inning, the Dock Spiders extended their lead, bringing eight players to the plate and scoring three runs with RBI singles from Adam Cootway (UW-Whitewater) and Aiden Jolley (Georgia Tech). A sacrifice fly to center field brought home the third run of the inning, extending the score to 4-0.
In the fifth inning, after loading the bases with one out, a sacrifice fly into center field from Aiden Jolley brought in another run, extending the lead to 5-0.
The score remained the same until the ninth inning, thanks to eight scoreless innings from RHP Justin Doyle (Northwestern), RHP Townsend Stevenson (Washington University in St. Louis), and RHP Xerian Ximinies (Florida A&M). Combined, the three pitchers allowed three hits, three walks, and struck out three.
In the ninth inning, RHP Jonah Montes (Embry-Riddle) did not retire a batter, allowing a single and three walks before RHP Austin Kutz (Canisius) came in. Kutz retired the first two batters he faced with a pop-out and ground-out, which brought in one run, making the score 5-2. Down to their final out, Colton Becker (North Dakota State) singled into center field, bringing home two runs and making the score 5-4. The next batter, Mathew Maulik (St. Thomas), singled, moving Colton Becker to third base. Maulik then advanced to second with a stolen base, putting the lead run in scoring position. However, Kutz was able to get a strikeout of pinch hitter Nick Ibrahim (Southern Illinois University Edwardsville) to end the game, securing a 5-4 win for the Dock Spiders.
The Dock Spiders wrap up their series on Monday against the Minnesota Mud Puppies at Herr-Baker Field, with the first pitch at 6:05 p.m. On Monday, enjoy $5 tickets with Channel 5, courtesy of WFRV-TV.
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