By John Baldridge/Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
FOND DU LAC, WI – The Dock Spiders wrapped up their final game at home before the All-Star break on Friday with a 3-2 loss to Duluth. The loss moved the Dock Spiders’ record to 19-32 overall and 6-12 in the second half.
The Dock Spiders started the scoring in the first inning, scoring two runs. After loading the bases with one out, a 4-6 fielder’s choice from Travis Strickler (Embry-Riddle) brought in Caden Shapiro (Princeton), making the score 1-0. The next batter, Drew Barragan (Embry-Riddle), walked, loading the bases again. Drew Prosek (Gulf Coast State) also walked, scoring the second run of the inning making the score 2-0.
The score remained the same until the fourth inning when Duluth scored three runs, all with two outs. A fly ball to right field off the bat of Charlie Sutherland (Minnesota) started the rally, with an error by right fielder Travis Strickler allowing a runner aboard with two outs. The next batter, Joe Vos (St. Thomas), singled, putting runners on first and second base. Ethan Cole (Minnesota-Duluth) then singled to left field, bringing in the first run and making the score 2-1. The next hitter walked, bringing Jayden Duplantier (Texas at Austin) to the plate. A single to left field from Duplantier scored two runs, giving Duluth a 3-2 lead.
The Dock Spiders’ pitching over the last five innings allowed only two hits and did not allow a run, due to the work of RHP Alex Stewart (Ellsworth CC) and Xerian Ximinies (Florida A&M).
In the seventh inning, the Dock Spiders got a one-out double from Aiden Jolley (Georgia Tech) and advanced him to third base with a groundout. However, they were unable to get him home as a strikeout of Drew Barragan (Embry-Riddle) ended the inning and the Dock Spiders’ threat. The Dock Spiders left eleven runners on base during the game.
In the ninth inning, the Dock Spiders got the tying run aboard with one out but were unable to score, falling by a final score of 3-2.
The Dock Spiders head to Green Bay for the next two games to finish up their stretch of 27 games in 25 days leading to the All-Star break on Monday. The first pitch against the Rockers on Saturday is scheduled for 3:05 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
