By John Baldridge/Fond du Lac Dock Spiders

MADISON, WI – The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders lost to the Madison Mallards on Monday night at Warner Park, 18-8. With the loss, the Dock Spiders are now 25-39 on the season and 12-19 in the second half.

The Dock Spiders started the scoring in the first inning with a two-out solo home run from Adam Cootway (UW-Whitewater) to right field, making the score 1-0.

Madison got on the board in the second inning, scoring six runs. A single from Dawson Hokuf (Cincinnati) scored the first run, tying the game 1-1. Two batters later, a three-run home run from Charlie Marion (Madison) to right field made the score 4-1. The next batter, Shai Robinson (Illinois State) singled, which brought Jake Schaffner (North Dakota State) to bat. Schaffner homered to right field, scoring two runs and making the score 6-1.

In the fifth inning, Madison extended their lead. The Mallards brought nine to the plate, with three hits, two walks, and two errors, extending their lead to 10-1. The inning was highlighted by a two-run home run by Will Verling (Louisville) to right field.

In the sixth inning, the Dock Spiders got a run across after a single by Drew Barragan (Embry-Riddle) and a double by Adam Cootway, putting runners on second and third base. A balk called on RHP Maddux Frese (Southeastern CC) scored Barragan, making the score 10-2. In the bottom of the inning, Madison scored three more runs, making the score 13-2, two of the runs coming from a single by Dawson Hokuf.

Madison scored five more runs in the seventh inning, bringing nine to the plate. The inning consisted of one hit, three walks, a hit-by-pitch, and a walk, making the score 18-2.

In the top of the eighth inning, a leadoff home run by Preston Knott (Northwestern) to right field made the score 18-3.

In the ninth inning, a double by Aiden Jolley (Georgia Tech) with a runner aboard to left field brought home a run, making the score 18-4. A walk, strikeout, and single brought Preston Knott to bat with one out. Knott hit a grand slam to right field, his second home run of the game and the first multi-home run game for a Dock Spider this season, making the score 18-8. Madison secured the final two outs after the home run to secure an 18-8 win.

The Dock Spiders return home to face Madison for the final time this season on Tuesday, with the first pitch against the Mallards at 6:35 p.m. On Tuesday, enjoy Bang For Your Buck with 107.1 The Bull – with hot dogs, 16 oz. Pepsi products, and 16 oz. domestic draft beers (for those of legal drinking age) for $2 each.

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.