It Takes Extras, Dock Spiders Improve to 5-0

FOND DU LAC, WI – The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders, who scored two runs in the top of the tenth, took down the Madison Mallards on the road 9-7 in extra innings to improve to a perfect 5-0 on the year.

The pitching staff recorded a season-high 11 strikeouts, while the offense tallied six-plus runs for the fifth straight game. Eight different starters reached base, including a season-high three hits from Alejandro Macario (Nova Southeastern).

“They made big pitches when we needed them to,” said Pitching Coach Daniel Buratto about the staff. “They kept us in the ballgame, and gave our lineup a chance to win it. You can’t ask for anything more than that.”

The Dock Spiders rallied back from down 6-1 in the sixth inning, scoring six runs in the frame, including a three-run, game-tying home run from Anthony Frechette (George Washington), and a go-ahead RBI double from Macario. In extras, the Dock Spiders tallied two runs on an RBI single from Tommy Stevenson (Missouri Southern State) and an RBI fielder’s choice from Cole Messina (South Carolina).

On the pitching side, Stephen Schissler (Nova Southeastern) and Taylor Middaugh (Marian) combined to shut out the Mallards over the final four and a third innings. Schissler entered the game with the go-ahead runner on base in the sixth, and twirled three and a third shutout innings, striking out four. Schissler earned the win, his first of the year. Middaugh came in to close the game, and stranded the placed runner on second with a one, two, three frame.

The Dock Spiders scored eight of the game’s final nine runs, and become the first Northwoods League team to score 50 runs on the year.