Schaumburg Boomers fall to Traverse City 5-4

JOLIET - The Schaumburg Boomers rallied from a 4-run first inning deficit to tie the game, but dropped a 5-4 decision in the opener of a three-game series with the Traverse City Beach Bums in Michigan.

Traverse City batted around in the first and scored 4 runs against starter Scott Schultz. Schultz settled in and allowed just 3 hits the rest of the way, striking out nine in a no-decision.

Jordan Dean doubled home a pair in the top of the third while James Keller singled home a run in the fourth. Josh Gardiner drew a bases-loaded walk in the sixth to force home the tying run. Traverse City catcher Kendall Patrick homered to open the eighth.

Keller, Mark Nelson, and Ino Patron all finished with multiple hits. Nelson extended his hitting streak to 9 games while Patron tallied his first triple of the season. Ken Knudsen suffered his first loss of the season, working 2 innings. The Schaumburg pitching staff struck out 12.

The Boomers (8-14) will continue the series on Wednesday night in a 6:05 p.m. contest with LHP Gunnar Kines (0-1, 5.49) on the hill against RHP Kramer Champlin (1-2, 1.98).