FOND DU LAC, WI – The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders (8-7) conclude a two-game series with the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (14-1) on Wednesday night at Herr-Baker Field. The Dock Spiders look to split the set and end the 14-game Rafters winning streak, which is tied for the longest in franchise history. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. and can be streamed live on the Northwoods League Baseball Network with coverage beginning at 6:30.
TODAY’S STORYLINES
LAST NIGHT OUT: The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders dropped the series opener against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, falling 17-2 at Herr-Baker Field on Tuesday night. The win for the Rafters was their 14th in a row, tying the record for the longest win streak in franchise history. The Rafters tallied a run in seven of their nine innings at the plate, including a run in each of the final five. The Dock Spiders bullpen tallied 10 strikeouts on the night, including seven over the final three innings from Frankie Klemm and Rocky King.
HERR-BAKER FIELD… THE LAUNCH PAD?: Between Monday and Tuesday’s games at Herr-Baker Field, seven home runs have been hit at the ballpark, an average of one every 19 plate appearances. In 2021, Herr-Baker Field averaged a home run every 176 plate appearances, with 16 total home runs hit at the ballpark. Even with the recent surge, Herr-Baker Field still allows the second least amount of home runs per plate appearance in the Great Lakes West Division, as Capital Credit Union Park in Green Bay sees a homer hit every 36 plate appearances to lead the division. A home run has been hit once every 94 plate appearances in Fond du Lac, only ahead of Madison’s Warner Park, which sees a home run every 107 plate appearances.
HIT BALL, GO FAR: Tuesday night’s solo home run from Cole Messina was the first Dock Spider to hit a home run with a recorded distance of over 400 feet this year. The ball came off the bat with a 99 mph exit velocity and traveled 413 feet to center field. The home run was the first of Messina’s collegiate career.
IN THE STANDINGS: This year, the Dock Spiders have split their time between first and second in the Great Lakes West Division. They’ve spent nine days either in sole possession or tied for first, and they’ve spent seven day in sole possession or tied for second. They come into today’s game tied for second with the Madison Mallards.
THE ROAD AHEAD: After today, the Dock Spiders will head on the road for a doubleheader at Warner Park against the Madison Mallards before returning home on Friday to face the Lakeshore Chinooks. Starting on Saturday, the Dock Spiders will spend seven of the next eight days on the road, which includes a series at Wisconsin Rapids and Kalamazoo, which will mark the first games against a Great Lakes East opponent in 2022.
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER
RHP DAVID HAGAMAN (FDL): After striking out a career-high eight batters in his last start against Green Bay, Hagaman makes his second start, and fourth appearance of the year. The West Virginia righty has allowed two runs this year with 15 strikeouts over nine innings.
RHP GRANT MANNING (WIR): Manning makes his first start of the summer after making 14 for Chapman University during the 2022 season. Manning helped lead Chapman to the NCAA D3 Super Regionals, where they fell to LaGrange (NC).
