MARION, Ill. — The Schaumburg Boomers dropped the opener of a three-game weekend set at Southern Illinois by a 7-2 score on Friday night.

Southern Illinois recorded three consecutive hits with one away in the bottom of the first to open a 2-0 lead. Chad Maddox drove home his league best 18th run of the year with his league best third triple. The next batter Matt Fields doubled in Maddox. Schaumburg chopped a run off the deficit in the third. Andrew Cohn stroked a single and stole second. With two outs Nick Kuroczko extended his hitting streak to seven games with an RBI single to bring the Boomers within 2-1.

The Miners tacked on four runs in the third against Schaumburg starter Tyler Watkins. Matt Fields connected on his league best sixth homer, a two-run shot with one out and two unearned runs crossed with two outs to stretch the lead to 6-1. Watkins allowed six runs, but only four were earned, while walking one and striking out three in six innings of work. Southern Illinois added a run in the eighth against recently activated Thomas Nelson to move in front 7-1.

Schaumburg loaded the bases in the ninth inning and scored a run to claw within 7-2. Chad Mozingo led off with a single and Nate Baumann reached on an error. Sean Mahley walked and Cohn forced in a run by walking as well. Gabriel Shaw came out of the bullpen and posted back-to-back strikeouts to end the game. Frank Pfister and Mozingo posted two hits each in the contest for the Boomers (8-5).

The series continues on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. with RHP Robbie Penny (1-0, 2.77) pitching for the Boomers opposite RHP Thomas Campbell (0-2, 11.12) for the Miners.

PECKS

• Ty Nelson entered the game defensively behind the plate in the fifth inning after Mike Valadez left; Valadez fouled a pitch off his right leg in the second
• Thomas Nelson was activated from the seven-day injured reserve list before the game; Schaumburg also added a left-handed pitcher in Adam Tollefson

Season Tickets, Group Outings and single-game tickets for the Inaugural Season of Schaumburg Boomers Baseball are on sale now by calling the 847.461.3695, by visiting www.boomersbaseball.com or by stopping by Schaumburg Boomers Stadium located at 1999 S. Springinsguth Road in Schaumburg.