SCHAUMBURG, Ill.  — The two-time defending Frontier League Champion Schaumburg Boomers, presented by Wintrust Community Banks, used a solo homer from Alexi Colon in the bottom of the eighth to notch a 5-4 win before a season high crowd in the opener of an Independence Day weekend series with the Evansville Otters.

Colon’s homer came leading off the eighth against reliever Connor Little after the Boomers failed to hold a 4-0 lead in the contest. Schaumburg raced to an early 3-0 edge with three first inning runs. Kyle Ruchim drew a bases loaded walk to force home Jordan Dean andJustin Vasquez notched a two-run single in the frame. Evansville chipped away, using a solo homer in the fourth to gnaw within 4-1. Shayne Houck tied the game with a two-run homer in the top of the eighth.

Eddie Cody retired 11 straight from the fourth through the eighth and worked 7.2 innings but did not factor in the decision. Seven of Cody’s nine starts have gone at least seven innings. The righty struck out three in a no-decision. Brandon Bargas retired all three batters faced to collect the win while Clark Labitan picked up the final out for his fourth save. Colon finished with two hits, two runs, and two RBIs in addition to a sliding catch for the final out. Craig Massey finished 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles while Vasquez also logged a pair of hits.

Schaumburg (19-24) continues the Independence Day weekend fun with more extended fireworks presented by Wintrust Community Banks on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. RHP Edwin Carl (1-3, 4.07) is the scheduled starter for the Boomers against RHP Tyler Vail (3-2, 4.46). Hear all of the action on AM 1410 WRMN with the voice of the Boomers, Tim Calderwood. Ensure your place in the fun at Boomers Stadium this summer by calling (847) 461-FOWL (3695).

More Info: The 2013 & 2014 Frontier League Champions and 2013 Organization of the Year, the Schaumburg Boomers are an independent professional baseball franchise based in Schaumburg, Ill. The Boomers have captured the back-to-back titles for the Village of Schaumburg and for team owners’ Chicago Personal Injury Attorney Patrick A Salvi and his wife, Lindy Salvi. The Boomers specialize in providing fun, affordable family entertainment and will be hosting the 2015 Frontier League All-Star Game on July 15th. For more information, visit www.boomersbaseball.com.