Boomers walk-off in extras 3-2 over Freedom
The Schaumburg Boomers won the first game of the series against the Florence Freedom 3-2 behind a strong performance by starting pitcher Seth Webster and a walk-off double from Mark Nelson in the bottom of the 11th inning.
In that was delayed 30 minutes by thunderstorms, both teams struggled early to get any kind of offense going.
The Boomers managed just 1 hit in the first five innings and an RBI double by Florence first baseman Richard Seigel in the sixth looked to be a big run. But the Boomers answered the bell in the bottom of the frame with a two-out single from Paul Kronenfeld, scoring Jordan Dean and drawing the score even at 1-1.
The Boomers took the lead in the seventh thanks to a leadoff single from Nelson who came around to score after a walk to Ino Patron, a passed ball and a wild pitch.
Dexter Price came in to close it in the ninth but a critical two-base error allowed Florence to force extras. Nelson drove a ball to right center in the bottom of the 11th to give the Boomers its second consecutive home win.
Webster scattered 7 hits over seven innings, striking out 7 and allowing just 1 earned run. Jake Joyce earned the win with a scoreless 11th, striking out 2 and stranding runners on second and third.
The Boomers will try to make it three straight Wednesday night with right-handed pitcher Scott Schultz on the mound.