The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders (1-0) travel to Athletic Park to take on the Wausau Woodchucks (0-1) in their first road game of the 2022 season. The game can be heard live via the Docks Spiders Radio Network on Mixlr starting with the pregame show at 6:20 before first pitch at 6:35 p.m..
DOCK SPIDERS NEWS & NOTES
STARTING OFF HOT: The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders exploded for 11 runs to win their season-opener 11-2 over the Wausau Woodchucks. Nick Mitchell helped lead the offensive charge with a career-high four hits, while starting pitcher Austin Wagner struck out seven over six shutout innings. The Dock Spiders, after scoring two runs and leaving nine on over the first five innings, scored seven runs on seven hits in the sixth inning to take a 9-0 lead. The Dock Spiders also sent 12 men to the plate during the inning, and saw Evan Stone reach base twice in the frame. Wagner earned the win, his first in a Dock Spiders uniform since August 1, 2018 at Green Bay.
JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME: After a career-high four hits in the opener, Dock Spiders outfielder Nick Mitchell was named the Northwoods League Player of the Night. Mitchell, the Western Illinois outfielder, tallied two bunt singles, a triple and was hit by a pitch to reach base five times. This spring, Mitchell was one of just 20 NCAA Division One players to steal at least 30 bases, and hit .342.
SOMETHING ABOUT THE CHUCKS: With yesterday’s win, the Dock Spiders have now won 10 of their last 13 games against the Woodchucks dating back to last year. Fond du Lac is also 3-0 against the Woodchucks on Opening Day, including wins to open the 2018 and 2020 seasons. At Athletic Park, the Dock Spiders won four of six last year, scoring at least five runs in every win. They also set a season-high last year with 14 runs against the Woodchucks on July 1, 2021.
OPENING UP STRONG: The Dock Spiders have now won five straight Opening Day games after losing their first-ever Opening Day game against Madison during the 2017 season. It’s also led to hot starts. In 2021, the Dock Spiders got off to a 4-1 start, while they got off to a 4-2 start in 2020.
ROAD DEBUTS: During today’s game, the Dock Spiders will debut their new road hat, released this past offseason. The navy blue hat with a light-blue front panel was modeled after the Milwaukee Brewers alternate cap. This marks a change from the gray road hats worn during the 2021 season.
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHING MATCH-UP
RHP STEPHEN SCHISSLER (FDL): Schissler will become to the first Dock Spider to utilize the new “Ohtani Rule” in the Northwoods League. Schissler has only walked 12 batters over 51.2 career innings.
RHP DANTE CHIRICO (WAU): Chirico split time between the rotation and bullpen this year for Northwest Florida State College, striking 67 in 53.2 innings. He threw 45.2 innings last summer for the Woodchucks, and made two starts against the Dock Spiders last year, allowing seven runs in 13 innings with 11 strikeouts.
