The Schaumburg Boomers dropped a wild series finale with the Southern Illinois Miners by a 13-11 score in 10 innings in a game filled with drama.
Southern Illinois scored in the top of the first inning before the Boomers responded with six in the bottom half. Matt Bottcher connected on his first professional homer to put the Boomers ahead 2-1. Nick Ames singled home a run and with two outs Alberto Schmidt, making his first start, deposited a three-run homer over the wall in left. Another run scored in the second to extend the lead to 7-1 but Southern Illinois slowly chipped away, scoring three in the third.
Both teams netted runs in the fifth with Alec Craig logging an RBI single to make the score 8-5. The Miners notched two runs in the seventh and took the lead with three runs in the top of the ninth. Down to the final out, Ames tied the game with a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning, his fourth of the year. Southern Illinois scored three runs in the top of the 10th including two with two outs. Pinch-hitter Chase Dawson led off the bottom of the inning with a double off the wall to score the international runner but the visitors were able to close out the win.
Every available player for both teams appeared in the contest. Andrew Dean started for the Boomers and worked four innings. Isaiah Rivera suffered the loss. Ames paced a 14-hit attack with three hits and three RBIs. Schmidt drove home three and notched a pair of hits while Bottcher and Matt McGarry both logged two hits apiece.
The Boomers (12-11) take Monday off before continuing the homestand on Tuesday night by welcoming the Windy City ThunderBolts. Tuesday is Educators Appreciation Night presented by THE TOMORROW WAR available worldwide, on Amazon Prime Video, July 2nd. 1,000 tickets are being given away to teachers and educators thanks to Amazon Prime Video. Teachers can use promo code TEACH to get up to 6 tickets (while supplies last) at www.Boomersbaseball.com. Additionally, it is a $1 Hot Dog Tuesday. RHP Orlando Rodriguez (1-1, 3.91) takes the ball for the Boomers. Visit www.boomersbaseball.com for tickets and information or call 847-461-3695.