Boomers lose pitching battle with CornBelters

The Schaumburg Boomers were on the short end of a 1-0 pitcher's duel with the Normal CornBelters on Saturday night.

Starter Kagen Hopkins, the reigning Frontier League Pitcher of the Week, broke the Schaumburg record for consecutive scoreless innings by working 8 shutout frames. Hopkins has gone 20 innings without allowing a run and has surrendered just 4 runs in 6 starts since joining the rotation. The previous scoreless record of 19 innings was set earlier this season by Evan Boyd. Hopkins did not allow a runner to reach scoring position until the seventh inning and finished with a walk and 5 strikeouts in a no-decision. The lone run of the game scored in the top of the ninth on a 2-out homer from Nolan Meadows.

Mark Nelson and Paul Kronenfeld each finished with a pair of hits for the Boomers, who managed only six against three different Normal hurlers. Schaumburg stranded eight on the basepaths.

The Boomers (22-22) continue the Independence Day weekend fun with a special Sunday night game featuring special guests and fireworks. RHP Seth Webster (4-3, 4.58) starts the contest against the Normal CornBelters at 6:30 p.m.