FOND DU LAC, WI – The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders held on for a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Madison Mallards behind a dominant pitching performance from Ben Kasten and Jaden Morris, who combined for 10 strikeouts.
Fond du Lac struck first in the opening inning when Tommy Googins launched a solo home run to give the Dock Spiders a 1-0 lead. The Dock Spiders added two more runs in the second inning on an Andrew Bishop two RBI single to extend the advantage to 3-0.
Madison got on the board with a run in the top of the fourth, but Fond du Lac answered in the bottom half as Ben Kuglitsch delivered an RBI single to restore the Dock Spiders’ three-run cushion.
The Mallards threatened late, scoring twice in the ninth inning, but Townsend Stevenson recorded the final outs to secure the 4-3 victory for Fond du Lac.
The Dock Spiders pitching staff turned in one of its strongest performances of the season, combining for 10 strikeouts. Ben Kasten earned the win after allowing two runs over five innings while striking out four. Jaden Morris dominated in relief, tossing three scoreless innings with six strikeouts, before Stevenson recorded his third save of the season.
Fond du Lac’s offense totaled eight hits and drew three walks. Tommy Googins and Andrew Bishop each recorded multi-hit performances. Googins finished 2-for-4 with a run, a home run and an RBI. His 394-foot blast was his second home run of the season.
The Dock Spiders return to Herr-Baker Field on Tuesday for a 6:35 p.m. matchup against the Wausau Woodchucks for Dinosaur Night. Hold on to your butts! Dinosaur-themed characters will be roaming the ballpark throughout the evening for a prehistoric night of family fun. It is also $2 Tuesday, presented by Fond du Lac Credit Union, Salmon’s Meat Products and 107.1 The Bull, featuring $2 Salmon’s hot dogs, 16 oz. Pepsi products and 16 oz. domestic draft beers (for fans of legal drinking age).
Information about ticket packages is currently available at dockspiders.com or by calling the ticket office at (920) 907-9833. Visit the Dock Spiders ballpark Box Office and Team Store during normal business hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 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’ 32nd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history with 24 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, nearly 2400 NWL alums have been drafted and over 380 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 (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford 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, two-time Silver Slugger 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.