by John Baldridge/Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
LA CROSSE, WI – The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders took game one against the La Crosse Loggers on Thursday night at Copeland Park, winning 9-6. With the victory, the Dock Spiders improved to 20-34 overall and 7-14 in the second half.
The Dock Spiders started the scoring in the first inning after loading the bases with two outs. A home run by Aiden Jolley (Georgia Tech) emptied the bases, marking the second grand slam of the season for the Dock Spiders and making the score 4-0.
In the second inning, La Crosse got on the scoreboard with a solo home run from Ryan Kucherak (LSU) to center field, making the score 4-1.
In the next three innings, the Dock Spiders added four runs to extend their lead. A groundout by Caden Shapiro (Princeton) in the third inning brought in a run, making the score 5-1. In the fourth inning, a two-run single by Travis Strickler (Embry-Riddle) increased the lead to 7-1. A ground ball double play scored another run in the fifth inning, making the score 8-1.
In the sixth inning, La Crosse fought back, scoring four runs in an inning that included three singles, a double, and nine batters coming to the plate. The scoring was highlighted by three RBI singles from Ryan Kucherak, Copper Brass (New Mexico), and Kanon Sundgren (Weatherford College), making the score 8-5.
The Dock Spiders got a run back in the seventh inning with a single from Adam Cootway (UW-Whitewater) that scored Preston Knott (Northwestern) with two outs, making the score 9-5.
In the eighth inning, a single from RJ Hamilton (Vanderbilt) made the score 9-6 and brought the tying run to bat in Case Sanderson (Nebraska). However, RHP Colton Angell (Southeastern CC) struck out Sanderson, ending the inning and the Loggers’ threat.
In the ninth inning, Angell retired La Crosse in order, securing the Dock Spiders’ 9-6 victory.
The Dock Spiders finish up their series on Friday with La Crosse, 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. Now in its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history 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, 360 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, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com), ESPN+, and the Northwoods League Network. Learn more and find complete streaming schedules at watchnwl.com. 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.
