SCHAUMBURG, IL —The Schaumburg Boomers, presented by Wintrust Community Banks, put the tying runs on base in the bottom of the ninth but dropped a 5-2 decision to the West Division leaders, the Florence Freedom, on Saturday night.

Florence jumped ahead 1-0 with a single run in the top of the second. Schaumburg was able to tie the score in the bottom of the inning when Matt Rose nailed his team leading fifth homer of the year over the wall in left. Florence scored the next four runs to open a 5-1 edge, plating two in the fourth, one in the fifth and one in the seventh. The Boomers clawed within 5-2 in the eighth after Jimmy Galusky tripled to open the frame and scored on a groundout from Connor Oliver. A pair of two out walks in the bottom of the ninth placed the tying runs on base, but Karl Craigie came on to close out the game for Florence, who has won 10-of-11 and 17-of-20. The Freedom are 5-0 against the Boomers in 2019. 

Connor Reed threw seven innings and suffered the loss, allowing four earned runs without issuing a walk. Reed struck out three. Christian Aragon finished out the game with two scoreless frames. The Boomers finished with six hits in the contest, two of which came from Quincy Nieporte.

The Boomers (22-22) have dropped five straight but remain in first place and will continue the homestand on Sunday night with a special 6:00 p.m. start on Bark in the Park presented by Pella Windows and Doors. RHP Payton Lobdell (0-3, 4.91) takes the ball for the Boomers against RHP Daniel Williams (2-0, 3.98). Visit boomersbaseball.com for tickets and information or call 847-461-3695.