Photo Courtesy: Amy Ackerman
FOND DU LAC, WI – For the fourth straight game the Dock Spiders fall short of a comeback as the Mallards win 6-5 on Thursday afternoon. It was another fast start for the Mallards as they put up two runs in the top of the first inning as a sac fly off the bat of Mallards right fielder Dylan Nevar (Western Michigan) that brought home Jack Tucker (St. Johns) to make the score 1-0. The next batter Korbyn Dickerson (Louisville) laced an RBI single to score Keenan Taylor (Purdue) which made the score 2-0. It was the Dock Spiders that answered the bell In the bottom of the first, using a two RBI single off the bat of third basemen Jake Surane (Wisconsin-Oshkosh) that brought home Travis Strickler (Embry Riddle) and Seth Sweet-Chick (Nevada) to tie the game at two apiece.
Then both offenses cooled off. Dock Spiders RHP Logan Eisenbarth (Wisconsin-Whitehouse was tremendous in his start going seven innings pitched, gave up four hits, two runs, three walks, and tallied four strikeouts. It was the longest outing registered by a Dock Spiders pitcher this season. The previous was 5 1/3 by Amar Tsengeg (Texas-Dallas) back on opening day versus the Green Bay Rockers. It wasn’t until the top of the eighth inning when the offenses got going again. The Mallards used some well-placed base hits to mount a four-run rally and take a 6-2 lead. The Dock Spiders answered yet again using a single from second basemen Luke Novitske (Cal State East Bay) to set a runner up in scoring position and then a ground out by designated hitter Paul Wittmann (West Texas A&M) to score shortstop Drew Barragan (Embry Riddle) to make the score 6-3.
Fast forward to the bottom of the ninth, another single by Novitske set the Dock Spiders up in prime position to score. Then an error by the Mallards second basemen netted the Dock Spiders two runs as Cooney (Holy Cross) and Surane came home to make the score 6-5. The comeback effort was nipped in the bud the next batter as Left Fielder Travis Strickler flied out to centerfield to end the game.
Mallards RHP Kevin Fee (Purdue Fort Wayne) is credited with the win. Dock Spiders LHP Zachary Gaudreau is tagged with the loss. The Dock Spiders will be back in action at home tomorrow at 6:35 PM CT as they take on the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. Watch the game on The Northwoods League Baseball Network with coverage starting at 6:25 PM.
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. Having recently completed its’ 29th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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 300 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 (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB 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.