SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — The Schaumburg Boomers wrapped up a huge series against the Windy City ThunderBolts behind an eight-run second inning to claim a 13-3 victory at Boomers Stadium Thursday.

The Boomers (46-35) pounded out 12 hits and drew 10 walks, tying a franchise record, on their way to a 13-run offensive explosion to improve to 29-13 at Boomers Stadium and 5-0 in Thursday home games. Steve McQuail led the charge with a three-hit, five RBI performance with a double and a walk. Not to be outdone, Mike Valadez drove in four runs on three singles and every member of the Boomers starting lineup reached base at least once in support of starting pitcher Robby Donovan.

The Boomers righty struggled with his command early but settled in nicely to earn his team-leading ninth victory of the season. Donovan allowed just five hits over his six innings of work while striking out five and walking five. The former Houston Astros farmhand stranded five ThunderBolts runners on base in the first two innings and got some help from his defense to close out the second inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Sean Mahley and Mike Valadez combined for the turning point in the game when Mahley turned a fly ball off the bat of Chris Wade into a double play with a catch and perfect throw to Valadez, who expertly blocked off the plate and tagged out Ryan Cuneo to keep the game scoreless.

Valadez stepped up in the very same situation in the home half of the inning, bases loaded and one out, and ripped a single into the gap in left-center to drive in a pair and give Schaumburg a 2-0 advantage. Brandon Gregorich doubled down the left field line in his first at-bat as a member of the Boomers to plate two more, including Valadez all the way from first base. With two outs, Chase Fontaine continued his hot start in Schaumburg with a double off the wall in left, which gave the Boomers a 5-0 lead. A walk to Chad Mozingo loaded the bases and McQuail battled through an epic 13-pitch battle before roping a double to left, which cleared the bases and put the Boomers in front by eight. In the inning, the Boomers sent 13 men to the plate, collected six hits and saw an astounding 61 pitches from the combination of Windy City right-handers, including starter Dustin Williams, who lasted just an inning and two-thirds and allowed six earned runs.

Schaumburg added four runs in the home half of the sixth to ensure there would be no comeback for the Bolts Thursday. McQuail singled to left to knock in Pfister, Valadez drove home two more on another single and Karexon Sanchez drew a walk with the bases loaded to force in the Boomers 13th run of the game. 

After a huge series victory of the ThunderBolts, the Boomers continue this stretch of nine games in 10 days in Schaumburg with a three-game set against the Road Warriors starting with Fireworks Friday tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. Schaumburg’s RHP Alex Rivers (2-3, 6.40) is set to square off against RHP Sheng-An Kuo (0-8, 4.18) for the Road Warriors.

PECKS

• Make it eight of the last 10 games in which the Boomers collected double-digit hits
• With one series remaining, the Boomers hold a 31-20 record against the West Division
• The Boomers improved to 38-0 when leading after eight innings

Tickets for the Inaugural Season of Boomers Baseball are going fast so act now: online at www.boomersbaseball.com, over the phone at 847.461.3695 or in person at the Boomers Box Office located at Boomers Stadium, 1999 Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg IL, 60193. Don’t miss the newly added weekend series on August 17-19 with special ticket discounts available, so give us a call today!