Boomers set record with 18 hits

MARION, Ill. — The Schaumburg Boomers set a franchise record with 18 hits in rolling past the Southern Illinois Miners 10-3 to win the series on Thursday night.

Schaumburg built an early 3-0 lead with a run in the second and 2 in the third. Justin Vasquez recorded the first of 3 hits for the newcomer with an RBI single to right, bringing home Brian McConkey.

The Boomers broke the game open with 5 consecutive singles in the fifth inning. Sean Mahley recorded a 2-run single in the frame while Gerard Hall and Frank Pfister also posted run scoring hits. Vasquez logged an RBI double.

Southern Illinois broke up the shutout in the seventh inning. Schaumburg starter Shawn Sanford made his debut after being obtained at the deadline and twirled six shutout innings, striking out five to earn the win, his ninth. The Boomers logged 14 singles and four doubles among the hits. Nine individuals posted a hit while 10 reached base. Vasquez and Alexi Colon collected three hits apiece. Mahley drove home three as the Boomers won a road series for the sixth consecutive time and the eighth in the last nine. Schaumburg owns the top road record in the league.

The Boomers (51-33) have a magic number of eight with 12 games to play and own a five game lead in the West Division along with the best record in the league. Less than a month ago, Schaumburg was down 5.5 games following a five-game losing streak. The road trip continues against the leaders of the East, the Lake Erie Crushers, on Friday night at 6:05 p.m. RHP Seth Webster (4-1, 2.38) will pitch for the Boomers against RHP Mickey Jannis (7-0, 1.49). Schaumburg will return home for a three game set on August 27.