AVON, OHIO — The Schaumburg Boomers did not use a relief pitcher, tossing a pair of complete games in a doubleheader split with the Lake Erie Crushers in the first two meetings of the year between the top two teams currently in the Central Division standings. Lake Erie won the opener 5-1 and Schaumburg took the second 4-0.

Lake Erie led the entire game in the opener, taking the lead behind three consecutive two-out hits in the bottom of the first. The Crushers added three unearned runs to complete their total. The lone Schaumburg run came in the top of the fourth on an RBI double from Clint Hardy. Former big leaguer Ryan Feierabend struck out nine for the Crushers. Bryan Ketchie allowed just two earned runs in a six-inning complete game, the first of his pro career, walking one and striking out four while suffering the loss.

The Boomers led for the first time on the day by scoring three runs in the top of the fourth in the second contest. Chase Dawson led off with a double and scored the first run on a sacrifice fly from Nick Ames. Angelo Gumbs furthered the advantage with a two-run homer. Dawson doubled again to open the sixth and crossed the plate on a single from Ames to account for the final run.

Ryan Middendorf, an Ohio native who played collegiately less than an hour from Lake Erie, dazzled in the second contest allowing just four hits in his first career complete game and shutout. Middendorf faced just one over the minimum entering the sixth and finished with three strikeouts.

Gumbs tallied three hits in the second game while Dawson and Luke Becker posted two apiece. Schaumburg outhit the Crushers in both contests with eight hits in the opener and nine in the nightcap. Dawson and Quincy Nieporte notched two each in the first game. The Boomers have thrown five complete games this year to equal the team’s franchise record, set twice previously.

The Boomers (24-22) cap the nine-game roadtrip on Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. Eastern. RHP Kyle Arjona (5-4, 2.40) makes his second start of the week against LHP Paul Hall, Jr. (2-2, 5.40). The team will return home on Tuesday, July 20 for First Responders Night presented by MADD & Salvi, Schostok and Pritchard! Visit boomersbaseball.com for tickets and information or call 847-461-3695.