Schaumburg Boomers sign 2 more players

The Schaumburg Boomers baseball roster now stands at eight with the signings of former Lake Erie Crushers outfielder Raphael Turner and Norfolk State rookie infielder Brandon Hairston, manager Jamie Bennett announced Wednesday.

Turner, 25, spent part of the 2010 season and spring training in 2011 with the Lake Erie Crushers after a collegiate career at Radford University in Virginia. Turner appeared in 43 games with the Crushers in 2010, collecting 22 hits including 9 doubles. Turner posted .359 on-base percentage thanks in large part to 27 walks against 31 strikeouts in Lake Erie adding 13 stolen bases as well.

Hairston, 22, was named the CO-MVP of the baseball team at Norfolk State University after being named to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference All-Conference Second Team as well as the MEAC All-Tournament Team in 2011. At Norfolk State, Hairston is currently in the top ten for career runs scored, hits, singles and total bases. Hairston also holds a number of records for the Spartans including hits in game (6) and career fielding percentage (.986) and ranks second in career walks (99) and career doubles (45).

A .326 hitter in college, Hairston collected 207 hits in a Spartans uniform including 45 doubles, six triples and 15 home runs in 183 games.

The Boomers, an expansion franchise in the independent Frontier League, will open their 2012 season in May at Schaumburg Baseball Stadium.