Photo Courtesy: Ava Schieffert
FOND DU LAC, WI –The Dock Spiders snapped the Rafters five game winning streak at Witter Field on Thursday night. Dock Spiders starting pitcher Mason Weckler (Wisconsin-Stevens Point) was stellar in his second start of the season as he hurled seven innings of one run ball. Weckler’s curveball worked to perfection for him as he struck out four rafters while only surrendering four hits. The Rafters scored first in the bottom of the fifth after catcher Hogan Helligso (Creighton) cracked a sacrifice fly into right field that scored designated hitter Jorge De Goti (Indiana) which gave the Rafters a 1-0 lead. The Dock Spiders countered in the top of the sixth using a RBI single from Barron Zamora (Washington) that scored Jake Surane (Wisconsin-Oshkosh) which tied the game. Then Graiden West (Rice) reached on an error by Rafters second baseman Chris Conniff (Wagner) that scored Jared Heinzen (Wisconsin-Parkside) which gave the Dock Spiders the 2-1 lead. The Dock Spiders called upon one of their closers Tanner Smith (Presbyterian) for the bottom of the ninth and he delivered as he kept the lead intact, which gave the Dock Spiders their fifth win of the second half. Dock Spiders starter Mason Weckler received his first win of the season, while Rafters starter Brycen Parrish (North Alabama) was tagged with the loss. Tanner Smith was credited with his second save of the season.
The Dock Spiders improve to 18-28 on the season and will be back in action tomorrow night in Wisconsin Rapids as they take on the Rafters again. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. The Dock Spiders will be back at home on Saturday night when they take on the Lakeshore Chinooks. It’s Princess night at Herr-Baker Field. Some of your favorite princess characters will be available for meet and greet opportunities and a special pre-game tea party! Be on the lookout for special ticket packages. Kids will also be allowed to run the bases after the game presented by Grande Cheese and A&W. A player high-five line and a treat from A&W will await each participant at home plate. 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.
