Boomers hold off RiverHawks

LOVES PARK — Schaumburg raced to a 9-0 lead early but had to hold off the Rockford RiverHawks to win the opener of a road series 9-6 Friday night — the Boomers’ 50th victory of their inaugural season.

With the win, the Boomers pulled even in the battle for the final playoff berth with Lake Erie and Florence.

Chad Mozingo’s two-out double in the first drove home Karexon Sanchez, and he scored on a single by Steve McQuail to give the Boomers a 2-0 lead. Two more runs scored in the third on a wild pitch and Jereme Milons’ RBI single, and the Boomers added 4 runs in the fifth.

After adding another run in the seventh, the Boomers watched Rockford bring the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the eighth after scoring 4 runs against three different pitchers.

Kirk Clark finally closed out the inning, and Patrick Mincey shut the door in the ninth for his 14th save.

Boomers starter Cody Griebling improved to 5-2, allowing 2 runs in 6 innings.

The Boomers tied a season high with 16 hits, including 13 singles and drew 10 walks.

The series continues at 6:05 p.m. today. Boomers right-hander Matt Kuna (2-4, 4.21) opposes right-hander Nick Anderson (1-2, 3.91).