LOVES PARK, Ill. — The Schaumburg Boomers raced to a 9-0 lead early but had to hold off the Rockford RiverHawks late in winning the opener of a road series Friday night 9-6 to claim victory for the 50th time this year.

Chad Mozingo recorded a two-out double in the first to score Karexon Sanchez and scored moments later on a single from Steve McQuail as the Boomers opened an early 2-0 lead. Two more runs scored in the third on a wild pitch and a Jereme Milons RBI single. Rockford starter Ziggie VanderWall was chased from the game in the fifth as the Boomers scored four runs. VanderWall walked seven and allowed eight runs.

After adding another run in the seventh, the Boomers watched as Rockford brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the eighth after scoring four runs against three different pitchers. Kirk Clark finally closed out the frame and Patrick Mincey shut the door in the ninth for his 14th save.

Despite having to hang on for the win the early run support was more than enough for starter Cody Griebling, who improved to 5-2. Griebling allowed just two runs in 6.2 innings. Offensively the Boomers amassed 16 hits to equal a season high, 13 of which were singles. Eight of the nine in the lineup posted a hit with the Boomers also drawing 10 walks.

With the win, the Boomers pulled even in the battle for the final playoff slot with Lake Erie and Florence. The series continues at 6:05 p.m. on Saturday night with RHP Matt Kuna (2-4, 4.21) on the hill for the Boomers opposite RHP Nick Anderson (1-2, 3.91).

PECKS

• Chad Mozingo recorded four hits and three doubles in the contest; The three doubles are the most in a game by a Boomer this season
• Schaumburg is 9-1 against Rockford this season
• Brandon Gregorich returned to the lineup for the first time since being hit on the hand by a pitch on Sunday; Gregorich started at first base and recorded a sacrifice fly