For the City Times

Two Fond du Lac home-runs pace the Dock Spiders to a home victory

WISCONSIN RAPIDS –  Fond du Lac opened the franchise’s first home game in team history with a 4-1 victory over Wisconsin Rapids at Herr-Baker Field on Thursday night.

After a scoreless first inning by both teams, the scoring started in the second when a single off the bat of Cory Wills of the Dock Spiders dropped down to drive in Luke Mangieri, who singled with one out.  

In the bottom of the fourth, Collin Braithwaite reached on an error for the Dock Spiders to set up a two-run home-run by Eric Gilgenbach to give the Dock Spiders a 3-0 advantage.

Connor Johnson (1-0) started the game against the Rafters for the Dock Spiders, limiting the Wisconsin Rapids offense to four hits, scattered over six scoreless frames. Johnson struck out eight batters without issuing a walk in his first start of the summer.

Dominic Yearego entered the game for Fond du Lac in the top of the seventh inning. The reliever worked a 1-2-3 inning to set up the Dock Spiders next run of the game. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Orynn Veillon took an 0-2 pitch deep to left field to push the home team ahead 4-0.   

With one out in the top of the eighth, the Rafters offense got a jolt from pinch-hitter Christian Jones. Wasting no time, Jones took the first pitch he saw over the left field wall to pull the Rafters within 4-1.

Alex Jackson entered the game for Wisconsin Rapids on the mound in the bottom of the eighth, leaving two Dock Spiders stranded on base to pitch a scoreless inning. Yearego did not allow a baserunner in the top of the ninth to preserve the 4-1 victory for Fond du Lac.  

Cal Giese (0-1) was tagged with the loss for the Rafters while Yearego earns the three-inning save, giving up one run. Six different Rafters recorded a hit while the Dock Spiders pitching staff did not issue a walk the entire night.

Wisconsin Rapids returns home to Witter Field on Friday, hosting Fond du Lac. First pitch is set for 7:05 pm with the Advanced Disposal Rosco P. Rafter Championship Bobble Head giveaway.