The Boomers trailed only briefly in the entire series. Matt Bottcher put the Boomers ahead in the top of the second in the first contest with an infield single. Dusty Stroup extended the lead to 2-0 with a sacrifice fly. The lead reached 3-0 with an RBI single from Quincy Nieporte in the third to score Chase Dawson. Gateway scored their lone run in the fourth. Matt McGarry hit a homer off the left field pole in the fifth and Bottcher added an RBI double to cap the scoring.
Newcomer Geoff Bramblett tossed a complete game in his Schaumburg debut, allowing just an unearned run on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts. McGarry and Bottcher both amassed two hits as the Boomers totaled six.
The bullpen was not needed in the second game either as Ryan Middendorf tossed his second shutout of the year. Middendorf did not allow a hit until the fourth inning and surrendered just four hits in the game with a walk and four strikeouts. Braxton Davidson opened the scoring with an RBI single in the fourth and Brett Milazzo added an RBI single later in the frame. Dawson tallied two hits in the second game.
Schaumburg set a single season record for complete games in the doubleheader and did not use a reliever for the second time in a twin bill this year. Middendorf also threw a shutout in the second game of a doubleheader at Lake Erie on July 17 after Bryan Ketchie tossed a complete game in the opener.
The Boomers (42-38) hold a five game lead in the Central Division and welcome the Lake Erie Crushers for a three game series this weekend. RHP Erik Martinez will start in the 6:30 p.m. series opener on a night that features postgame fireworks and a postgame marshmallow fight presented by Campfire Giant Roasters Marshmallows. Visit www.boomersbaseball.com for tickets and information or call 847-461-3695.