SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — The Schaumburg Boomers allowed nine unearned runs as the defending Frontier League champion Joliet Slammers scored a 14-6 win at Boomers Stadium on Thursday.

Joliet opened the scoring with a four-run fourth. All four runs came with two outs and were unearned after an error opened the inning. Trevor Willis dropped a two-run single into center to open the gates. Abel Nieves delivered an RBI double and Erik Lis an RBI single in the frame.

The runs were the only tallies allowed by Schaumburg starter Tyler Watkins. Watkins twirled four innings and suffered the loss despite not allowing an earned run. Watkins struck out two while surrendering six hits in the longest outing of the spring for a starting pitcher.

The Slammers struck for five more unearned runs in the fifth against reliever Wally Goodline to pad the lead to 9-0. A sixth inning run extended the advantage to 10-0 before the Boomers came back with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Nate Baumann led off with a single. With two outs Chad Mozingo and Ellis Lowe were both hit by a pitch. Drew Heithoff rocketed a double down the left field line to score a pair. 

Joliet came back with three more in the top of the seventh on just one hit against the combination of Jamaal Hollis and Thomas Nelson. Nelson tossed two innings and did not allow a run, the lone pitcher to not allow a run in the contest, walking one and striking out one while surrendering a pair of hits.

The bats came to life for the Boomers in the bottom of the inning. Arlington Heights product Jeff Harkensee lined a single up the middle to start the inning. Brad Hawn followed by drawing a walk. A wild pitch moved the runners to second and third for Brandon Hairston, who knocked in a run with a groundout. Pat Biserta was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Baumann singled home a run and with two outs Mozingo pushed a single through the infield to score a pair, bringing the Boomers within 13-6. Joliet capped the scoring with a run in the ninth.

Offensively, the Boomers tallied 10 hits in the defeat, the first loss of the spring for the Boomers (2-1-1). Lowe and Baumann registered two hits each. The Boomers will again meet the champions on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at Boomers Stadium. 

PECKS

• Lowe played both second and short in the defeat
• Andrew Cohn saw time at third base; Cohn has played second, short, and third this spring
• Alex Thieroff pitched the ninth inning

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.