by John Baldridge/Fond du Lac Dock Spiders

FOND DU LAC, WI – A wild pitch in the ninth inning with one out led the Dock Spiders to a 7-6 win on Thursday night at Herr-Baker Field over the Duluth Huskies. With the win, the Dock Spiders’ record improved to 19-31, and 5-11 in the second half of the season.

Duluth started the scoring with one out in the first inning. With runners on first and third base; a double steal attempt brought in Cardell Thibodeaux (Southern) from third base, making the score 1-0 as the runner at first base was caught stealing.

The Dock Spiders answered back and took a lead in the bottom of the first inning. After a stolen base by Caden Shapiro (Princeton) of third, an error on third baseman Tyler Palmer (Nebraska Omaha) allowed Shapiro to score, tying the game at one. The next batter, Travis Strickle (Embry-Riddle), singled into center field, scoring another run and making the score 2-1.

Duluth fought back, getting one run in the second inning, one run in the fourth inning, and one run in the fifth inning with a sac-fly from Cardell Thibodeaux (Southern) that scored a run, making the score 4-2.

In the sixth inning, the Dock Spiders retook the lead after loading the bases with no one out. A wild pitch brought in the first run of the inning (Travis Strickler), making the score 4-3. After a strikeout of Drew Howard (Evansville), the next batter, Connor Cooney (Holy Cross), hit a three-run home run to right field, his first home run of the season, giving the Dock Spiders a 6-4 lead.

The game stayed tied until the eighth inning, when the Huskies scored two runs. The inning was highlighted by a single from Ethan Cole, scoring a run and tying the game at six.

In the ninth, the Dock Spiders got a runner aboard with a walk to Travis Strickler (Embry-Riddle). Wild pitches allowed Strickler to advance to second and third base. A walk to Aiden Jolley (Georgia Tech) put runners on first and third base with one out, bringing Miles Vandenheuvel (Eastern Arizona) to the plate. With Vandenheuvel batting, a wild pitch from RHP Sam Kratz (Missouri Western State) brought in Strickler, scoring the game-winning run and giving the Dock Spiders a 7-6 win.

The Dock Spiders conclude their two-game series on Friday night against Duluth at Herr-Baker Field, with the first pitch at 6:35 p.m. On Friday, Celebrate Hispanic Heritage with Arañas de Muelle. Players and coaches will wear special alternate jerseys and hats. Hats will be available for purchase in the Team Store, and jerseys will be available via auction to benefit the Moraine Park Foundation. The first 500 fans through the gates will receive scorecard clipboards courtesy of Moraine Park Technical College. Plus, all fans will enjoy post-game fireworks presented by Marine Credit Union.

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