SAUGET, IL — The Schaumburg Boomers, presented by Wintrust Community Banks, struggled to get the offense going on a cold night, but stayed in the game and had the tying run at third base in the ninth before succumbing to the Gateway Grizzlies 3-2 on Saturday night.

Gateway touched Schaumburg starter Payton Lobdell for a pair of runs in the second inning to take the lead. Gateway starter Chris Carden did the rest early, sitting down 12 in a row and recording 13 straight outs to end his season debut. Limited to just one hit entering the eighth and trailing 3-0, the Boomers chipped away on a double from Nick Oddo and a sacrifice fly from Alex Polston. With two outs in the ninth, Wilkyns Jimenez ignited a rally with a walk before consecutive singles from Oddo and Polston brought the Boomers within 3-2. Gateway closer Grant Black recorded a strikeout to end the game, leaving pinch-runner Dylan Jones standing at third with the would-be tying run.

Lobdell did not walk a batter in five innings, striking out four, but suffered the loss. Taylor Goshen worked the final three innings, striking out four including the side in the eighth. The Schaumburg pitching staff has issued just one walk in the first two games of the season. Oddo tallied three hits in the game while Polston drove in a pair. Julio Gonzalez coaxed three walks as the Boomers drew six in the game.

The rubber game of the series takes place on Sunday night at 6:05 p.m. Schaumburg will send LHP Aaron Rozek to the mound for his debut with the team while RHP Reign Letkeman counters for Gateway.