Photo Courtesy: Ava Schiffert
FOND DU LAC, WI – The Dock Spiders win their second game in a row, taking down the Kenosha Kingfish 10-4 on Thursday night. After beating the Mallards 5-1 on Tuesday night, the Dock Spiders were riding high heading into the matchup with the Kingfish. Offense was early and often for the hometown team as they got the night started in the bottom of the first inning by scoring three runs to jump out to an early lead. A single from left fielder Travis Strickler (Embry Riddle) got the two out rally started. Then a single from right fielder Jared Heinzen (Wisconsin Parkside) which set up the Dock Spiders scoring chance. Catcher Lorenzo Rios (Presbyterian) stepped up to the plate and lined a single to the second basemen which scored Strickler to give the Dock Spiders a 1-0 lead.
Accuracy wasn’t a strong suit for the Kingfish’s starting pitcher Alec Sparks (Louisiana Tech) as he plunked shortstop Drew Barragan twice and then a wild pitch to second basemen Jacob Anderson (Michigan State) allowed Heinzen to score to make the score 2-0 and load the bases. First basemen Seth Sweet-Chick (Nevada) stepped up the plate in a big spot, bases loaded with two outs and worked a walk, which brought Rios into score making it 3-0 Dock Spiders. In the bottom of the 2nd, the Dock Spiders scored another run as an RBI single by Jared Heinzen brought Strickler into score making it a 4-0 Dock Spiders advantage. The Dock Spiders offense made their presence felt again the bottom of the fourth as an RBI single from Travis Strickler brought designated hitter Teddy Deters (Xavier) into score, making it a 5-1 Dock Spiders lead. Deters was making his Dock Spiders debut and he sure didn’t disappoint, going 2-5 with 1 RBI and a stolen base.
The Dock Spiders added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning off of a double by Jared Heinzen who pushed his hitting streak to five consecutive games, Wittmann came around to score making it a 6-2 lead. A bases loaded walk a few batter later by Jacob Anderson allowed Heinzen to score which made the score 7-2. The Dock Spiders were able to score again in the bottom of the seventh and eighth innings to ultimately put the game away 10-4. Left handed pitcher Jack Niedringhaus (Xavier) came in to relieve Max Huseboe (Wisconisn Whitewater). Niedringhaus was stellar as he hurled two innings of no run ball and closed out the win. The Dock Spiders improve to 5-12 on the season, while the Kingfish fall to 7-9. Both teams will be back in action tomorrow night at 6:35 P.M. for game two of the series. Right handed pitcher Justin Doyle (Stevens Institute of Technology) will get the nod for the Dock Spiders on the mound.
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.