Boomers fall in Game 5 of Frontier League Finals

The Schaumburg Boomers and Quebec Capitales went toe-to-toe in the decisive fifth game of the Frontier League Finals, but Quebec scored in the ninth inning to notch a 6-5 win and secure a fourth consecutive Frontier League crown at Wintrust Field on Sunday night.

Justin Gideon, who earned MVP of the series, tripled to the wall in center with two outs and two strikes in the league’s first championship game five decided in the ninth to drive in the winning run.

Banks Tolley drilled a no doubt homer to straight away center in the bottom of the sixth to give the Boomers their first lead at 5-4, clearing the batter’s eye in center. Quebec was able to tie the game in the top of the seventh, loading the bases on three straight soft hits. Gideon drew a bases-loaded walk to force home the tying run but Caleb Riedel was able to leave the bases full. The Boomers had the go-ahead run at second in the eighth but a diving catch with two away kept the game even.

Cole Cook started the game and threw four innings before turning things over to Buddie Pindel, who notched 1.1 innings of relief in front of Riedel. Mitch White struck out the first five batters he faced, but suffered the loss. Anthony Calarco and Kyle Fitzgerald both finished with a pair of hits. The playoff series loss marked just the second series defeat in franchise history, both to Quebec.