Photo Courtesy: Aidan Blake
FOND DU LAC, WI –The Dock Spiders found themselves down 13-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. After scoring one run in the bottom of the sixth, the Dock Spiders added two more in the seventh. Right fielder Jared Heinzen (Wisconsin-Parkside) and Travis Strickler (Embry Riddle Aeronautical) both lined RBI singles into the outfield which made the score 13-5. In the bottom of the eighth a walk from designated hitter Paul Smith started the five-run inning by the Dock Spiders. Third baseman Graiden West (Rice) smoked an RBI that scored Smith and made the score 13-6. After two consecutive walks issued, shortstop Drew Barragan (Embry Riddle Aeronautical) stepped up with the bases loaded and mashed a grand slam over the left field wall that made the score 13-10. However, the Rivets offense wasn’t done as they put three more runs on the board in the top of the ninth to seal the deal.
In an interesting move before the comeback started, the Dock Spiders called upon INF Seth Sweet-Chick (Nevada) from the bullpen in the top of the fifth inning. It was the first time Manager Doug Coe (Moravian) put a position player on the mound for the Dock Spiders this season. Sweet-Chick shut down the Rivets for two whole innings until the top of the ninth when Sweet-Chick plunked three Rivets and then gave up an RBI single to third baseman Wyatt Morgan (Missouri Southern State). Sweet-Chick was pulled in the top of the ninth. Rivets relief pitcher Simon Murray (Truman State) was credited with the win after going one inning as he surrendered one hit, one walk and he fanned one batter. Rivets closer Nick Vollmert (Southern Wesleyan) received the save as he tallied one and two thirds’ innings while he fanned five batters. Dock Spiders starting pitcher Amar Tsengeg (Texas-Dallas) was tagged with his fourth loss of the season. The Dock Spiders drop to 15-27 on the season and 2-5 in the second half. The Dock Spiders will be back at home on Tuesday night for game two of the Rockford series. It’s bang for your buck night with 107.1 The Bull at Herr-Baker field. Come out and enjoy hot dogs, 16 oz Pepsi products, and 16 oz domestic beers (for those of drinking age) for $2 each. Tickets are currently available at dockspiders.com or by calling the ticket office at (920) 907-9833. First pitch is 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’ 30th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world 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, over 325 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.
