CRESTWOOD, Ill.  — The two-time defending Frontier League Champion Schaumburg Boomers, presented by Wintrust Community Banks, dropped a wild back and forth 8-6 decision to the Windy City ThunderBolts on Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series.

The Boomers rallied from three deficits in the game to lead 6-5 entering the bottom of the ninth. Down 1-0, Tillman Pugh nailed his second homer of the season in the fourth. Trailing 2-1, Mike Schulze doubled home the tying run in the fifth. Schulze put Schaumburg ahead for the first time at 4-2 with a two-run single in the seventh, but Windy City plated three in the eighth to take the lead again. The Boomers struck for two runs in the ninth against the Windy City bullpen on a sacrifice fly from Mark Nelson and an RBI infield single from Justin Vasquez, but Zach Esquerra hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the inning off Dexter Price to cap the crazy contest.

Brett Mabry tossed five innings in his first professional start, striking out six. Schulze posted two hits and drove home three. The leadoff man has hit safely in each of the first five games this year. Alexi Colon also posted a pair of hits. Jake Joyce and Zach Wendorf each threw scoreless frames out of the bullpen with Wendorf working 1.1 innings in his professional debut.

The Boomers (3-2) continue the season opening seven-game roadtrip with a day game on Wednesday at 10:35 a.m. against Windy City. RHP Scott Plaza will make his first pro start against RHP Travis Tingle (0-1, 1.80). 

The home schedule opens on Friday, May 22 against the Lake Erie Crushers. The evening begins with a ring ceremony to honor the 2014 team and ends with the first of 21 firework nights. Ensure your place in the fun by calling (847) 461-3695 (FOWL). All games can again be heard on AM 1410 WRMN with the voice of the Boomers, Tim Calderwood. Broadcasts begin with a 15-minute online only highlight show followed by a 15-minute pregame radio show.