One of the easiest ways for Jamie Bennett to evaluate his roster for the 2023 season is by watching his team play exhibitions against other clubs. In just over one week Bennett will need to have his opening night roster set and the team is in the full swing of exhibitions building up to the season opener at Windy City on May 11. Wednesday afternoon the club welcomed the team they will see in both the season and home opener, the Windy City ThunderBolts, recording a 9-2 win in a 10-inning affair.

Aaron Glickstein received the ball and worked four shutout innings, allowing just three hits while striking out six. Jackson Hickert followed Glickstein by throwing three innings. Merfy Andrews and Kristian Scott also threw blank innings in relief while Jake Joyce was the final pitcher to take to the mound. The pitching staff recorded 17 strikeouts in the victory.

Offensive highlights from the contest included the performance of Travis Holt, who started at third base. Holt doubled, scored twice, drove home four and stole a base. Blake Berry found himself on base on four occasions, walking three times and tallying a single to go with an RBI, a pair of steals and three runs scored. Tyler Lasch walked three times and tallied a hit as did Will Prather. John Fiorenza reached base three times and scored a pair of runs.

The Boomers completed the two games with Windy City by notching a 6-2 win on Thursday behind four shutout innings from Kobey Schlotman. The pitching staff struck out 11 in the contest. Chase Dawson doubled twice, drove home two and coaxed a walk. Blake Grant-Parks drove home two. Miguel Reyes threw two perfect innings in relief.

You can see the Boomers at Wintrust Field in their final exhibition before the season opens on Monday, May 8 in a game against the MSL All-Stars with all $7 tickets to benefit Special Olympics. The home opener is on May 19.