Schaumburg Boomers swept by Joliet Slammers

The Schaumburg Boomers could not complete a frantic comeback and avoid a sweep in a 6-4 loss to the Joliet Slammers on Thursday night.

The Boomers grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI single from Alexi Colon. Joliet instantly responded with two runs in the top of the second to take the lead. The Slammers plated three in the third and added a run in the fifth to lead 6-1. Newcomer Kyle Ruchim, a Northwestern and Stevenson grad in his first professional game, launched a two-run double to left in the sixth, bringing the Boomers within 6-3. Sam Lind drew a bases loaded walk in the ninth to force home a run, but Joliet escaped with the win on a line out to leave the tying runs in scoring position.

Starter Raul Jacobson suffered the loss, working six innings. The Boomers stranded a season high 12 on base in the loss but finished with nine hits, seven walks, and a hit batter. Ruchim, Craig Massey, and Joel Hutter tallied two hits apiece.

Schaumburg (15-21) will spend the weekend with three games in Northern Michigan against the leaders of the East Division, the Traverse City Beach Bums. The first contest is on Friday night at 6:05 p.m. RHP Eddie Cody (5-0, 2.35) is slated to start for the Boomers while Traverse City counters with RHP Kramer Champlin (3-2, 2.48). Schaumburg returns home for a six-game stint beginning on June 30.