Schaumburg Boomers lose first series of the season

The Schaumburg Boomers dropped a series for the first time this season by losing a 4-3 decision in the rubber game at Joliet on Thursday night, leaving 10 on base, including the tying run in three consecutive innings.

The Boomers left runners at the corners in the top of the first. Joliet responded in the bottom of the inning, taking the lead on an RBI double from Matthew Warkentin, who drove home seven runs in the series. Schaumburg tied the game on an RBI double of their own in the fourth when Aaron Simmons scored Kyle Fitzgerald with an opposite field double.

Joliet took the lead for good behind three runs in the fifth. Schaumburg slowly chipped away, scoring single runs in the sixth and eighth but could pull no closer. Brett Milazzo drove home a run with a groundout in the sixth and pinch-hitter Christian Fedko singled home a run in the eighth but the Boomers left six on base over three innings.

Cole Cook suffered the loss despite a quality start against his former team. Cook allowed four runs, three earned, over six innings and fanned eight. The lefty owns 28 strikeouts in 18 innings of work this season. Dallas Woolfolk tossed 1⅔ innings and Cristian Lopez came on to get a big out in the eighth, leaving the bases loaded with a strikeout.

Alec Craig reached base three times with two hits and a walk. Craig has been on base in every game this season. Simmons was also aboard on three occasions, drawing a walk and a hit by pitch in addition to the RBI double.

The Boomers (8-3) return home for Memorial Day weekend by welcoming the Lake Erie Crushers on Friday night. There will be postgame fireworks to kick off the weekend. Jackson Hickert (2-0, 2.45) is the scheduled starter Matt Mulhearn (1-1, 6.30). Tickets are available at boomersbaseball.com or (847) 461-3695.