Local pitcher Rodriguez signs with Boomers

Robert Morris University pitcher Rey Rodriguez has signed to play with the Schaumburg Boomers, team officials announced Friday.

Rodriguez, a 24-year-old lefthander, was a First-Team NAIA all-American in 2012 and 2013 for RMU. The Venezuela native posted a 1.19 ERA over 23 appearances, which included 19 starts. He also recorded 11 complete games and seven shutouts at Robert Morris University. While posting a 17-2 record in his two seasons, Rodriguez struck out 156 in 135⅔ innings, allowing just 18 earned runs and only 75 hits. Rodriguez tossed a no-hitter against Lindenwood-Belleville on March 22, 2013.

The Boomers, the defending Frontier League champions, now have 36 players signed to contracts to compete for the likely 23-man roster on Opening Day.

The Schaumburg club will hosts its home opener on Friday, May, 23 against the Florence Freedom at 6:30 p.m. as part of a six-game homestand. They will open the season on the road against the Lake Erie Crushers on May 16.

Tickets are available at (847) 461-3695 or online at boomersbaseball.com and at the Boomers Stadium Box Office, 1999 S. Springinsguth Road, in Schaumburg.

The Boomers will also host four exhibition games at Boomers Stadium this month: 1 p.m. May 9 vs. the Windy City ThunderBolts; 6 p.m. May 9 vs. the Gary SouthShore RailCats; 2 p.m. May 10 vs. the Rockford Aviators; and 6:30 p.m. May 12 vs. Les Turner ALS All-Stars in a charity contest.