For the fourth straight game the Dock Spiders fall short of a comeback as the Mallards win 6-5 on Thursday afternoon. It was another fast start for the Mallards as they put up two runs in the top of the first inning as a sac fly off the bat of Mallards right fielder Dylan Nevar (Western Michigan) that brought home Jack Tucker (St. Johns) to make the score 1-0. The next batter Korbyn Dickerson (Louisville) laced an RBI single to score Keenan Taylor (Purdue) which made the score 2-0. It was the Dock Spiders that answered the bell In the bottom of the first, using a two RBI single off the bat of third basemen Jake Surane (Wisconsin-Oshkosh) that brought home Travis Strickler (Embry Riddle) and Seth Sweet-Chick (Nevada) to tie the game at two apiece.
Then both offenses cooled off. Dock Spiders RHP Logan Eisenbarth (Wisconsin-Whitehouse was tremendous in his start, going seven innings pitched, gave up four hits, two runs, three walks, and tallied four strikeouts. It was the longest outing registered by a Dock Spiders pitcher this season. The previous was 5 1/3 by Amar Tsengeg (Texas-Dallas) back on opening day versus the Green Bay Rockers.
It wasn’t until the top of the eighth inning when the offenses got going again. The Mallards used some well-placed base hits to mount a four-run rally and take a 6-2 lead. The Dock Spiders answered yet again using a single from second basemen Luke Novitske (Cal State East Bay) to set a runner up in scoring position and then a ground out by designated hitter Paul Wittmann (West Texas A&M) to score shortstop Drew Barragan (Embry Riddle) to make the score 6-3.
Fast forward to the bottom of the ninth, another single by Novitske set the Dock Spiders up in prime position to score. Then an error by the Mallards second basemen netted the Dock Spiders two runs as Cooney (Holy Cross) and Surane came home to make the score 6-5. The comeback effort was nipped in the bud the next batter as Left Fielder Travis Strickler flew out to center field to end the game.
Mallards RHP Kevin Fee (Purdue Fort Wayne) is credited with the win. Dock Spiders LHP Zachary Gaudreau is tagged with the loss. The Dock Spiders will be back in action at home tomorrow at 6:35 PM CT as they take on the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. Watch the game on The Northwoods League Baseball Network with coverage starting at 6:25 PM.
