EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The West Division leading Schaumburg Boomers split a road doubleheader with Evansville on Thursday, taking the opener 5-0 before suffering a 6-3 loss in the night cap.

Tyler Watkins was magnificent in game one, pitching six shutout innings to help the Boomers record their fifth shutout of the season. Watkins retired the first eight batters of the game and allowed just one runner to reach third, scattering three hits and strikeout four to improve to 3-4 on the season. Watkins has pitched 14 consecutive shutout innings.

Schaumburg gave Watkins enough support early taking advantage of a first inning error to score two runs. Frank Pfister recorded an RBI single to score the first run and Chad Mozingo extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a two-out single to score the second run. The Boomers added three more unearned runs in the fourth when Jereme Milons lined a single up the middle.

Game two started very similar to game one. The Boomers plated a pair of unearned run in the second inning. Drew Heithoff recorded an RBI single after a run scored on an error. Alex Rivers retired the first eight hitters of the game and faced the minimum through three. Nate Baumann homered in the fourth but Evansville (19-26) opened a string of six unanswered runs with five on six hits in the bottom of the frame to chase Rivers and win the contest.

The Boomers (28-17) return home on Friday night to meet the Washington Wild Things in the final series of the first half. Join the Boomers for a belated Independence Day celebration with postgame fireworks following the 6:30 p.m. affair. RHP Matt Kuna (1-0, 3.77) makes his third start for the Boomers while Washington has yet to announce a starter.

PECKS

• The doubleheader was the first in franchise history
• Watkins has been involved in three of the five shutouts this season for the Boomers
• Mike Valadez started for the first time since Sunday in game two of the doubleheader

Season Tickets, Group Outings and single-game tickets for the Inaugural Season of Schaumburg Boomers Baseball are on sale now by calling the 847.461.3695, by visiting www.boomersbaseball.com or by stopping by Schaumburg Boomers Stadium located at 1999 S. Springinsguth Road in Schaumburg.