A pair of big innings helped the Schaumburg Boomers bust out of a six-game skid in a 12-4 win over the Windy City ThunderBolts before a capacity crowd in the opener of a weekend series at Wintrust Field.
Windy City grabbed the lead in the top of the first on a two-out solo homer from Bren Spillane. The Boomers answered in the bottom of the frame, evening the game on a two-out RBI single from Gaige Howard. Windy City plated three runs in the top of the third to open a 4-1 edge, two of which came on the second homer of the game for Spillane. The Boomers again had an answer though, scoring four times to nab a 5-4 advantage. Howard doubled home two while Blake Berry evened the game with a sacrifice fly before a two-out single from Kyle Fitzgerald handed the Boomers the lead.
The Boomers broke the game open by plating seven runs in the fifth with two outs on just three hits, taking advantage of five walks in the frame. Blake Grant-Parks came through with a two-run single with two outs to open the scoring in the inning. Chase Dawson doubled home two, Howard followed with a two-run single and another tally crossed on a wild pitch.
Luis Perez was the beneficiary of the run support, working seven innings and allowing four runs on four hits with three walks and seven strikeouts. Cristian Lopez finished the game by retiring the final six Windy City hitters. The Boomers finished with 11 hits and matched a season high with 11 hits. Howard drove home five and stole a pair of bases while finishing with three hits. Dawson and Grant-Parks both finished with three hits as well. Alec Craig walked four times.
The Boomers (43-32) host the ThunderBolts again on Saturday night at 6:00 pm. Saturday night will be Back to School Night featuring postgame Fireworks. The first 1,000 fans receive a Boomers Backpack thanks to Harper College. RHP Hunter Hoopes (2-1, 4.29) is slated to face RHP Logan Schmitt (4-3, 5.13). Visit www.boomersbaseball.com or call 847-461-3695 to secure your tickets to a game before summer is gone and ensure you don’t miss out on the fun.