Schaumburg Boomers win with help from Buffalo Grove native

The Schaumburg Boomers put together an early lead and used the strength of their bullpen to hold on for a 7-5 victory Sunday over the Evansville Otters in front of 2,046 fans at Boomers Stadium.

Buffalo Grove native Kyle Ruchim paced the Boomers offense with 2 hits, a pair of third-inning RBI, and a run in the win which captured the Fourth of July weekend series for the home team.

Boomers second baseman Jordan Dean and center fielder Alexi Colon led the Boomers offense with 3 hits apiece, while third baseman TJ Bennett recorded his first pair of hits in a Boomers uniform during the win.

Schaumburg starter Peter Gehle pitched a solid 6 innings to earn his first victory as a Boomer, while Evansville starter Trevor Walch earned the loss after surrendering 4earned runs. The Boomers' relievers held the Otters at bay the rest of the game with Clark Labitan earning his third save of the homestand and fifth save of the year. Evan Boyd, Brandon Bargas, and Jake Joyce earned holds in the victory.

The Boomers (20-25) hit the road Tuesday for a three-game series against the Normal CornBelters July 7-9. Fresh off his first professional win, left-hander Scotty Ward is slated to start the series opener. The Boomers return to Boomers Stadium July 10 for Superhero Night vs. the Florence Freedom with post-game fireworks.