Dock Spiders Defeat Mallards, 4-3
Dock Spiders start off the season at home with a 4-3 win over the Mallards courtesy of a rally-ending double-play by Jarren Sanderson.
The game started very similarly to yesterday’s game in Madison with the Dock Spiders striking quickly with first baseman Jarren Sanderson batting home Jimmy Mantuano III to give Fond du Lac the 1-0 lead. The next four-and-a-half innings were very defensive with both sides making crucial stops until a three run bottom of the sixth for the Dock Spiders.
Leading 4-1, the Dock Spiders were close to their first win of the season, but the Mallards started a comeback in the top of ninth after pulling within one with a Gavin Brzozowski two RBI double. With only a single out and a runner in scoring position the Mallards were poised to tie the game until Sanderson showed off the reflexes snagging a linedrive from Tate Schmidt before turning to second base for the game-ending double-play.
Sanderson headlines the night for the Dock Spiders by not only making the highlight-reel play at first to end the game but also by going 3-for-4 with one run and one RBI.
On the mound the Dock Spiders rotation had a very solid performance only using three arms with Ethan Cole and Zak White combining for six strikeouts over seven innings. Before Austin Kutz closed the door in the top of the ninth.
This win was also a much-needed one for the Dock Spiders who ended a nine game losing streak to the Mallards that stretched back to July 30, 2023. The two Great Lakes West rivals met for the 74 time tonight in which the season
series between them remained relatively balanced up until last year. The season series is now tied between the Dock Spiders and Mallards with two more games against each other in the next two days. Tomorrow’s game is slated for an 11:35 a.m. start time where the Fond du Lac will look to get back-to-back wins over Madison. Tomorrow’s game also has a Weather Day Promotion where Meteorologists from WFRV-TV Channel 5 will be on hand to educate young fans on all things weather in a pre-game presentation.
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.