CRESTWOOD, IL —The Schaumburg Boomers kicked off their 11th season on Thursday night, dropping an 8-3 decision to the Windy City ThunderBolts on the road.

Junior Martina connected on a three-run homer for Windy City in the bottom of the second and the hosts did not trail in the game. Drue Galassi put the Boomers on the board in the fifth with a solo homer and two runs scored in the sixth to bring Schaumburg within 4-3 but Windy City added insurance to nab the win.

Blake Berry reached base in all four of his plate appearances, finishing 2-for-2 with two walks, a double and a run. Gaige Howard tallied a pair of hits in his team debut as the Boomers finished with seven in the loss.

Kobey Schlotman received the opening night start on the mound and took the loss, allowing four runs in five innings. Schlotman closed his outing on a positive note, retiring the final eight batters. Cristian Lopez worked two innings in relief, fanning a pair and retiring the side in his first inning as a professional. Austin Kaplan fanned three in the ninth.

The season opening series continues on Friday night at 6:35pm. RHP Luis Perez will make his season debut for the Boomers against LHP Kenny Mathews. Schaumburg opens the year on a six-game roadtrip but returns to Wintrust Field on Friday, May 19 for the home opener. Tickets are available by visiting boomersbaseball.com or calling 847-461-3695.