Playoff Hopes End for Dock Spiders

FOND DU LAC, WI – The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders fell, 8-2, to the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters at Witter Field on Friday night in the final road game of the 2022 season. The loss eliminated the Dock Spiders from Northwoods League playoff contention. The Dock Spiders will return home for their final game of the season on Saturday at 6:35 p.m. against the Rafters at Herr-Baker Field.

The Rafters started the offense early after Dock Spiders starter Ian Delleman (Illinois-Springfield) struck out the first four batters that he faced. The Rafters brought home the first run of the game after three wild pitches and brought home another on four straight walks to take a 2-0 lead after two innings. Aidan Brewer (Hillsdale) drove in another run in the fourth to extend the Rafters lead to 3-0. Then, a solo home run from Garrett Broussard (Utah Valley) made it 4-0 after five.

On the mound for the Rafters, starter Cooper Robinson (UC-Irvine) tossed four no-hit innings, and reliever Cody Urban (UW-Stout) helped take the no-hit bid into the sixth. The Dock Spiders offense, however, broke up the bid in the sixth inning and tallied their first hit of the night on a single from Chad Herrera (Viterbo). They scored their first runs of the night in the seventh off an RBI single from Herrera and an RBI double from Peter Fusek (Western Illinois) to cut the deficit to 7-2. The Rafters scored their final run of the night in the eighth off a Brady Jurgella (Minnesota) fielder’s choice.

Urban (1-0) earned his first win of the year while Delleman (0-1) took the loss for the Dock Spiders.

During tomorrow’s game, the first 500 fans are set to receive a mystery gift courtesy of Horicon Bank. All kids are welcome to run the bases postgame courtesy of A&W and Grande Cheese. A player high-five line and a treat from A&W will await each participant at home plate.