SCHAUMBURG, IL — Clint Hardy dropped an 0-1 offering into right field with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to break up a no-hit bid as the Schaumburg Boomers, presented by Wintrust Community Banks, suffered a 3-0 shutout loss to the Evansville Otters in the opener of a weekend series at home.

Evansville starting pitcher Patrick McGuff struck out 11 in the complete game effort. McGuff walked one and hit one while the Boomers also saw a runner reach base on an error. The righty, who retired 15 straight from the second through the seventh and threw 122 pitches, was attempting to throw the 30th no-hitter in league history. Evansville has thrown the last two no-hitters in the Frontier League.

Evansville scored single runs in the second, sixth and ninth while finishing with eight hits against Schaumburg starter Connor Reed. Reed took the hard luck loss, allowing two runs in a season high 7.1 innings while not issuing a walk and striking out six. The loss marked the first time the Boomers dropped a game in which a starting pitcher logged a quality start. Hardy’s hit fell into right field as Jack Meggs stumbled attempting to charge in on the ball.

The Boomers (15-10) continue the series tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. Presented by Salvi, Schostok and Pritchard P.C. the first 1,000 fans will receive a bobblehead of longtime Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson. The contest will also feature postgame fireworks. The pitching matchup features RHP Erik Martinez (0-1, 3.00) facing RHP Jake Welch (0-1, 4.22). Visit boomersbaseball.com for tickets or call 847-461-3695.