Big eighth inning lifts Schaumburg Boomers to road victory

The Schaumburg Boomers scored seven runs in the top of the eighth to take the lead for the first time in the series, sending 11 men to the plate to help post a 12-4 win over the Trois-Riveres Aigles on Saturday night.

Trois-Rivieres scored twice in the fourth to lead 2-0 before Christian Fedko throttled his first homer in the top of the sixth, a 2-run shot to tie the score. Dalton Combs hit a 2-run homer in the bottom of the inning to once again put the hosts ahead, but the Boomers scored the next 10 runs to ensure at least a .500 roadtrip through Canada. The team pulled within a single tally in the seventh with a run to set the stage for the huge eighth.

The eighth inning opened with Alec Craig coaxing a walk. Fedko followed with a bunt single and both runners executed a double steal. Chase Dawson notched an infield hit to load the bases. Seth Gray slapped a single to right scoring two and putting the Boomers ahead.

Kyle Fitzgerald, activated from the injured list before the game, tallied a run scoring single in his return and Aaron Simmons doubled home a run to make the score 7-4. With two outs and the bases loaded, Craig cleared them with a double to right. The Boomers added two more in the ninth to finish the win.

John Wilson worked 5⅓ innings in a no-decision. Dylan Stutsman retired five of the six batters he faced to earn the win. Matt Helwig tossed the eighth and Jake Joyce, making his 268th Frontier League appearance, closed out the win. Joyce is just two outings away from tying for the league’s all-time lead in appearances.