The Schaumburg Boomers scored in six different innings and dominated the Gateway Grizzlies 17-2 before a franchise record crowd of 8,297 at Wintrust Field on Saturday night. The victory coupled with a Windy City loss lowers the magic number for the Boomers to reach the playoffs for the fifth time in six years down to six.
Kyle Fitzgerald recorded a two-out triple in the bottom of the first and scored to put the Boomers ahead on an RBI single from Anthony Calarco. Schaumburg broke the game open with four runs in the second. Alec Craig coaxed a bases loaded walk and Chase Dawson lifted a sacrifice to start the scoring in the inning. A pair of runs would score on a wild pitch to stretch the lead to 5-0. Craig recorded RBI singles in three straight frames as the lead continued to swell. Kellum Clark homered to center as part of a four-run fourth. All nine members of the lineup recorded a hit with seven scoring a run.
Derek Salata was as dominant as the offense, evening his record at 5-5 by working seven innings. Salata allowed just two hits with a walk while striking out 10. The righty became the fourth hurler to log a double-digit strikeout game this season and the second on the homestand. Salata sat down 13 straight from the second into the seventh and retied 17-of-18 before exiting. Jack Snyder and Tom Vincent finished out the win. The pitching staff struck out 13 batters. Craig drove home a career high seven in the game and finished with three hits. Dawson and Fitzgerald both finished with three RBIs. Fitzgerald notched three hits as seven players tallied more than one hit. Schaumburg totaled 19 hits in the win and also drew 11 walks. The Boomers have set a league record for walks this season.
The Boomers (53-42) wrap up the final home weekend series of the regular season on Sunday afternoon at 1:00pm on Augtober Fest at Wintrust Field. RHP Ross Thompson (10-4, 4.49) is the scheduled starter for the series finale while Gateway counters with RHP Ben Harris (6-6, 4.49). Don’t miss out on the fun before it’s too late. Feel the Boom this summer! Visit www.boomersbaseball.com or call 847-461-3695 to secure your ticket to fun this summer.
