Dock Spiders Close Out 2026 with One-Run Win Over Rafters

he Fond du Lac Dock Spiders held on to defeat the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 7-6, reaching the 30-win mark to close out the 2026 Northwoods League regular season.

The Rafters took an early 1-0 lead on a Casey Wambach RBI double. The Dock Spiders responded with three runs in the bottom of the third on a two-RBI single from Joey Arend and an RBI double from Carter Christenson. Wisconsin Rapids answered with a home run in the top of the fourth to make it a one-run game.

In the bottom of the fifth, Fond du Lac scored three more runs on a two-RBI single from Christenson and a wild pitch. The Rafters then pulled within two in the seventh inning after scoring a pair of runs to make it a 6-4 game.

Fond du Lac added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth on a Joey Monetti RBI single to extend its lead to 7-4. The Rafters loaded the bases and scored twice in the ninth, but Nolan Meis shut the door to secure the Dock Spiders’ victory.

The Dock Spiders’ offense totaled nine hits and drew six walks. Tommy Googins, Patrick Graham, Joey Arend and Carter Christenson each recorded two hits, with Christenson leading the team with three RBI. On the mound, the Dock Spiders recorded five strikeouts. Reliever Townsend Stevenson led Fond du Lac with two strikeouts in his outing.

Tommy Googins and Patrick Graham closed out their second seasons with the Dock Spiders. Noah Tschopp and Colton Angell also wrapped up their third seasons with the team, combining for 4 1/3 innings while allowing just one hit.

With the win, Fond du Lac clinched the season series against Wisconsin Rapids, 5-3, and finished a perfect 4-0 against the Rafters at Herr-Baker Field.

The Dock Spiders finished the 2026 season with a 30-39 record and an 18-15 mark in the second half, finishing fourth in the Great Lakes West. Fond du Lac now turns its attention toward the offseason as the Dock Spiders prepare for their 11th season in franchise history.