FOND DU LAC, WI – The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders recorded 16 hits and scored 15 runs in a 15-5 victory over the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters at Herr-Baker Field.
The Dock Spiders jumped out to an early lead, scoring twice in the first inning on a fielder’s choice and a wild pitch. Wisconsin Rapids answered with a run in the second before Fond du Lac added three more in the third on a fielder’s choice and RBI singles from Tyler Neises and Ben Kuglitsch to make it 5-1.
The Rafters cut the deficit to 5-3 in the fourth with a two-run home run, but the Dock Spiders responded by scoring seven consecutive runs over the next three innings. The offensive surge featured an RBI double from Jaden Rose and a two-run triple by Tommy Googins.
Wisconsin Rapids scored twice in the eighth inning, but Fond du Lac answered with four runs in the bottom half, highlighted by a two-run single from Patrick Graham and an RBI double by Andrew Bishop, to secure the 15-5 victory.
The win snapped a four-game losing streak and marked the Dock Spiders’ largest home victory since June 20 of last season.
Vincent Venverloh paced the offense with a 4-for-5 performance, recording the most hits by a Dock Spider in a game since May 28.
On the mound, Fond du Lac limited the Rafters to four hits while combining for eight strikeouts. Ben Kasten recorded five strikeouts, his highest total in a start this season, while Declan Kmiecik added three in relief.
The Dock Spiders and Rafters conclude their home-and-home series Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. at Witter Field.
Fond du Lac returns to Herr-Baker Field on Thursday, July 16, for a 6:35 p.m. matchup against the Battle Creek Battle Jacks. The Dock Spiders will take the field as the Arañas de Muelle de Fond du Lac for Hispanic Heritage Night.
Information about ticket packages is currently available at dockspiders.com or by calling the ticket office at (920) 907-9833. Visit the Dock Spiders ballpark Box Office and Team Store during normal business hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 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. Entering its’ 32nd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history 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, nearly 2400 NWL alums have been drafted and over 380 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 (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford 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, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove, two-time Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com), ESPN+, and the Northwoods League Network. Learn more and find complete streaming schedules at watchnwl.com. 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.