SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — The 2021 Frontier League Champion Schaumburg Boomers opened a three-game series at home with a 6-2 loss to the Gateway Grizzlies in the first meeting of the year between the two teams.

Schaumburg built a 2-0 lead, scoring first for a 10th straight game in the bottom of the third. Matt Bottcher belted a solo homer on top of the batting cage in right, his fourth of the year. Brett Milazzo drew a two-out walk and scored on a double from Blake Grant-Parks, who was activated from the injured list before the game. Gateway plated three runs in the fifth, stringing together five hits. Jackson Pritchard tied the game with a two-run homer. The visitors added two insurance runs in the eighth and one in the ninth.

The Boomers stranded 11 men on base and were just 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Bottcher finished with three hits as Schaumburg posted six to go with nine walks and a hit batter. Milazzo reached three times and stole a pair of bases. Blake Stelzer suffered the loss, working five innings. Stelzer retired the first nine Gateway hitters. Four different pitchers tossed an inning each out of the bullpen as the Boomers (12-9), who lead the league in strikeouts, fanned nine.

The series will continue on Wednesday night with a 6:30pm contest on an All-You-Can-Eat Wednesday. Purchase a wristband for all-you-can eat peanuts, popcorn and hot dogs along with your game ticket. RHP Ryan Middendorf (2-1, 3.20) takes the mound for the Boomers. Tickets for the 2022 season are on sale now! Visit boomersbaseball.com.