Fond du Lac defeats Rafters, 9-7
The Dock Spiders outlasted the Rafters in an offensive battle at Witter Field as Fond du Lac scored nine runs off of 12 hits.
The offense for the Dock Spiders was spearheaded by right fielder Landon Mensik and shortstop Jalen Gellings. Mensik went 4-for-5 at the plate with one RBI while Gellings went 4-for-5 with two runs and a stolen base. This is the second and third time this season a Dock Spider has had a four-hit performance this season and it’s also the second time Mensik has had three or more hits in a single game in his ten games played as a Dock Spider.
Fond du Lac’s batting order also reached the 12 hit mark which was one short of tying its season-high. The Dock Spiders offense also received help from the Rafters six errors which is the most committed by a Dock Spider opponent this season.
On the mound the Dock Spiders found success in striking out the Rafters totalling nine strikeouts with reliever Zak White recording a game-high four punchouts while earning the save. Reliever Hudson Johnson earned his first win of the season while recording the most innings of work with three and two thirds on the mound.
One struggle for the Dock Spiders was limiting the free passes given up to the Rafters as the Dock Spiders walked 11 and two Rafters were hit-by-pitch which aided Wisconsin Rapids to their seven run total.
After the win, the Dock Spiders will look to hit double digits in the win column with a duel against the Rafters at Herr-Baker Field tomorrow.
Next game for the Dock Spiders is tomorrow at 1:05 p.m. against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters for Scout Day where Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts are invited to participate in a pre-game parade around the warning track and are encouraged to wear their vest, uniform, and bring a troop banner. Scout Day packages include a one-of-a-kind Dock Spiders patch. On top of this, the mascots for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Fang and Whiffer, will appear at the game to entertain fans of all ages.
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.