SCHAUMBURG, IL — The Schaumburg Boomers opened a three-game series against the Lake Erie Crushers at Wintrust Field by scoring eight unanswered runs over four frames to grab an 8-2 decision the game between the top two teams in the Central Division.

Lake Erie grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the third. Connor Oliver, who was a member of the Boomers in 2019, hit a solo homer over the wall in right on the 10th pitch of his at bat. The Crushers made it 2-0 with a single tally in the fifth. The Schaumburg rally began in the bottom of the fifth. Matt McGarry lined a double to left-center to score Alberto Schmidt. Matt Bottcher tied the game in the sixth with a solo homer. Schmidt put the Boomers ahead with a single to score Clint Hardy. Hardy knocked home a run in the seventh and Alec Craig recorded a three-run homer, the first of his pro career. The scoring concluded in the eighth when Bottcher doubled home Chase Dawson.

Ryan Middendorf allowed two runs in seven innings to earn his second consecutive victory over the Crushers, striking out five. Jake Joyce and Thomas Nicoll finished out the win with each working a scoreless inning. The Boomers finished with 16 hits in the win. Bottcher fell a triple shy of the cycle, finishing with four hits, three for extra bases, while scoring twice and driving home two. McGarry, Hardy, Craig and Schmidt all logged a pair of hits.

The Boomers (28-23) continue the series on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. on Baseball to End Alz Night presented by Lavelle Law. The Boomers will wear special purple jerseys that will be auctioned off to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. RHP Kyle Arjona (5-4, 2.42) will make the start against LHP Paul Hall, Jr. (2-2, 4.60). Visit boomersbaseball.com for tickets and information or call 847-461-3695.