By John Baldridge/Fond du Lac Dock Spiders

Madison, WI – The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders fell to the Madison Mallards on Saturday night at Warner Park, with a final score of 8-6. Despite a late rally in the ninth inning, where they scored three runs with two outs, the Dock Spiders couldn’t close the gap. The loss drops the Dock Spiders to a 6-13 record for the season.

Madison took an early lead in the third inning. Davis Hamilton (North Dakota State) hit a sacrifice fly that scored Shai Robinson (Illinois State University), putting the Mallards ahead 1-0.

The Dock Spiders responded in the fourth inning when Tyler Neises (Georgia Tech) singled to bring home a run, tying the game at 1-1. However, Madison quickly regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth with a rally that produced two runs, making the score 3-1.

In the fifth inning, both teams traded runs. The Dock Spiders’ Cal McGinnis (Evansville) hit a sacrifice fly, earning his first RBI of the season by scoring Drew Barragan (Embry-Riddle), which cut Madison’s lead to 3-2. The Mallards answered back with a single from Blake Guerin (Iowa) that scored Davis Hamilton, extending their lead to 4-2.

The sixth inning saw more of the same back-and-forth scoring. Drew Barragan’s single for the Dock Spiders that drove in Parker Knoll (Lawrence), reducing Madison’s lead to 4-3. However, the Mallards responded with a home run in the bottom of the inning to left field by Liam Moreno (St. Cloud State), pushing the score to 5-3.

Madison expanded their lead in the eighth inning, scoring three more runs through a combination of two hits, two walks, and two hit batters, bringing the score to 8-3.

In the ninth inning, the Dock Spiders made a fighting effort. With two outs, Kelsen Johnson (Polk State) tripled, and Preston Knott (Northwestern) followed with a single to bring Johnson home, making it 8-4. Caden Shapiro (Princeton) then walked, setting the stage for Parker Knoll, who singled into left field, driving in two more runs and bringing the score to 8-6.

With runners on first and second, Madison called to the bullpen, bringing in LHP Aaron Jungers (Lindenwood). Jungers struck out Tyler Neises, ending the game and securing an 8-6 victory for Madison.

The Dock Spiders return home to Herr-Baker Field on Sunday for another match-up against the Madison Mallards. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. On Sunday, the first 500 fans through the gates will receive a Mental Health Awareness Weaver bobblehead, courtesy of SSM Health. Additionally, all fans will have the opportunity to bid on mental health awareness retro-themed jerseys.

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’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 26 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 350 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 (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) 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, 2021 and 2023 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner, and two-time All-MLB first-team 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