Rafters Split Road Series with Dock Spiders

Wisconsin Rapids lost their first game at Herr-Baker Field in 2021, are now 4-1 on season

FOND DU LAC, WI- The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (19-15) lost 5-4 to the Fond Du Lac Dock Spiders (22-12) after a walk-off single.

Five errors were committed combined, the lone Rafter one, occurred in the bottom of the ninth.

The Dock Spiders started the game with three straight singles. A sacrifice fly scored the lone run, as Rafters Starter Caden Favors (Wichita State) got a strikeout to end the inning. Fond Du Lac added another in the second, off an RBI double.

Fondy starter Ryan Loutos allowed only two hits in the first three innings in the fourth the Rafters went to work. After a leadoff walk and single, Couper Cornblum (Wichita State) shot a ball into the right-centerfield gap to score two on an RBI double. The inning continued with Sterling Hayes (Creighton) and Elijah Dickerson (La Salle) reaching.

Dickerson stole second, which garnered a throw into center field that was followed by a throw to third base that sailed wide. Two errors brought in two Rafters runs.

After a clean fourth, Caleb Durbin singled, stole second, and scored on a single for the Dock Spiders. Victor Scott lofted a sacrifice fly to tie the game at four.

With both starters gone after five, both bullpens went to work. Hayden Harris (Georgia Southern) retired nine batters in a row, with two strikeouts. The Dock Spiders two relievers allowed three hits over four as the game entered the bottom of the ninth.

Andrew Duran (New Orleans) who had a one-hit and two walk day at the plate entered the game. He retired the first two Dock Spiders, but then a flyball off the bat of Tavian Josenberger was dropped by third baseman Josh Nicoloff (Columbia). A walk-off single earned Durbin his third hit and the Dock Spiders’ 22nd victory.

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