Boomers clinch division title with win over Windy City

The Schaumburg Boomers won their fourth division title in team history by shutting out the Windy City ThunderBolts 5-0 for their seventh straight win while wrapping the regular-season home schedule.

The Boomers’ offense was held at bay for most of the series but was able to open a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Nick Podkul singled with one away and scored on a wild pitch. Kyle Fitzgerald made it 2-0 with his eighth homer of the year, a blast over the wall in left.

The early support was more than enough for starting pitcher Derek Salata but the Boomers extended the lead in the fourth. Alex Calarco drew the fourth of four consecutive walks to force home Podkul. Fitzgerald pushed the lead to 4-0 with an RBI single in the seventh while another run scored on a wild pitch.

Salata tossed seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits and six base runners. Dallas Woolfolk pitched the eighth and Caleb Riedel finished out the victory.

After winning the Western Division of the Frontier League, the Boomers (58-35) have secured home field advantage for the playoffs and will conclude the regular season in Kentucky with three games over the weekend against the Florence Y’Alls.