Fond du Lac Defeats Eau Claire, 7-3
The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders start the season 2-0 after sweeping the Eau Claire Express on the road to begin the 2026 campaign.
This is the best start to a season since the summer of 2022 where the Dock Spiders went on to have a franchise-best 5-0 beginning of a season.
In the concluding game of the first ever series between Eau Claire and Fond du Lac it was a combination effort from both the Dock Spiders locked-in pitching rotation and consistent batting order that aided in the team’s win.
After trailing by a run early, a pair of runs in the third inning thanks to smart baserunning by Tommy Googins and Brady Blake and then a three-spot in the fifth inning gave the Dock Spiders enough of an edge to close out the win.
Evan Abbott led the offensive onslaught going 3-for-4 with an RBI triple. As a whole the Dock Spiders 12 hits and five stolen bases helped Fond du Lac surge past Eau Claire.
After a strong start from right-handed pitcher Zak White, who compiled five strikeouts in four innings, a combined effort from Tag Pacot and Colton Angell held the Eau Claire bats at bay, stranding nine runners on the basepath and limited their run total to just three.
Unfortunately, weather had other plans as heavy rain beat down on Carson Park leading to a delay and a shortening of the contest at the conclusion of the seventh inning.
The Dock Spiders home opener is tomorrow night against the Madison Mallards at 6:35 p.m. Fans who make it to Herr-Baker Field early on Opening Night will get a commemorative 2026 Magnet Schedule presented by Fox Valley Savings Bank to keep track of all Dock Spider games this season.
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.