By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
ASHWAUBENON – A pair of home runs helped the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders beat the Green Bay Rockers in Northwoods League action June 27, 4-2.
The loss at Capital Credit Union Park in Ashwaubenon dropped the Rockers to 9-20 overall on the season.
“The guys have been working hard,” Rockers Field Manager Chris Krepline said. “With runners in scoring position, we need to get that key hit. We’ve been in lots of close games. The guys know they’re right there, but I think we’re pressing too much. I told them after the game to slow things down.”
After the Dock Spiders took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning on a two-run homer, they added another single tally in the third on a solo homer.
Green Bay had the bases loaded in the fifth inning with one out, but a double play ended the frame.
“We struck out a bit too much,” Krepline said. “We haven’t been doing that much lately. We wanted to see that key hit happen.”
The Rockers broke through in the seventh inning on a bases-loaded, two-RBI single from Tristin Garcia, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
Green Bay still had runners on second and third with nobody out, but three consecutive outs ended the threat.
“We probably should have had a few more runs, but overall, it was a clean game,” Krepline said.
Fond du Lac added a run in the eighth inning to close the scoring.
The teams played errorless ball and combined for 18 hits – 10 of which came from the Rockers.
Brendan Ryan, Garcia and Matt Scannell each had a pair of hits for Green Bay.
De Pere graduate Will Semb took the loss for the Rockers, giving up all three runs on five hits.
The righty walked four and struck out six.
A long grind
About 30 games into the 72-game season, Krepline said his guys are holding up well.
“We’ve done a great job with keeping it light,” he said. “The late nights and coming back from road trips are tough, though. We need to stay fresh.”
Krepline said you have to know your players.
“Some guys will play every day, but you have to read that,” he said. “Good communication is key. You’ll ride guys who have hit streaks but give rest to players who need it. Some play every other day, while others every four or five days. When you’re rested, it brings that freshness. You have to monitor your players.”
Team bonding
Krepline said team-bonding activities are important to keep his players’ minds fresh.
“You need to do things throughout the season to help the guys get their minds off baseball, even for a short time,” he said. “The grind gets to you – wake up early, live, breath and eat baseball.”
The team went ax-throwing June 27.
“We had a fun time,” Krepline laughed. “The guys loved it but were a little nervous at first. We were there for about 90 minutes. We mixed groups, so the guys got to know others better on the team.”
Full squad
Krepline said most of the squad is “finally here.”
“We still have a few guys gone, but they’re on the way,” he said. “We’re still adding a few bullpen arms and a utility player. For the most part, this past week, we’re starting to solidify things.”
Krepline said all teams have to deal with college players playing in their postseason tournaments at the start of the Northwoods League season.
“It takes time for everyone to get here,” he said. “The more successful their college teams are, the longer it takes for them to get to their (Northwoods League) teams. You like to see them do well (in college), but you also want them here.”