Fond du Lac, WI. — The Kalamazoo Growlers (32-31, 16-15) dropped their fifth straight game in a tough 5-2 defeat to the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders (30-35, 16-13) at Herr-Baker Field Saturday evening. The Growlers now fall to 1-8 against Great Lakes West opponents.

Fond du Lac struck first in the opening frame as Tim Elko grounded into a fielder’s choice to take an early 1-0 lead. The Dock Spiders added a pair of insurance runs in the third on a RBI single and another fielder’s choice to extend their lead to 3-0. 

The Dock Spiders tallied their final two runs in the fourth on a two-run single courtesy of Otto Grimm to stretch the margin to 5-0. Kalamazoo attempted to mount a rally in the eighth as Nick Neville (South Carolina) drilled a two-run double to center to cut the deficit to 5-2, but it would not be enough.

The Growlers bullpen posted a strong effort as Jarrett Smetana (Kent State) and David Toth (Hillsdale College) tossed 4 ⅓ combined scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Fond du Lac starter Evan Sankey earned the win in his Dock Spiders debut. Kalamazoo starter Spencer Juergens (Missouri) took the loss, falling to 3-3. 

The Kalamazoo Growlers conclude the series with Fond du Lac tomorrow afternoon from Herr-Baker Field. First pitch is slated for a 1:05 p.m. start.

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