Hickert Flirts with Perfection in Shutout

Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Hickert Flirts with Perfection in Shutout

AVON, OHIO — Jackson Hickert retired the first 19 batters to come to the plate and faced just two over the minimum in throwing a complete game shutout as the Schaumburg Boomers blanked the Lake Erie Crushers 3-0 in the opener of a mid-week road series on Tuesday night.

Hickert allowed just three baserunners in the game, carrying a perfect game through 6.1 innings before Jarrod Watkins doubled. The righty promptly retired the next two batters and finished the shutout despite issuing a walk in the ninth. Hickert, who threw seven no-hit innings on June 8, struck out nine and allowed just two hits in the game.

The Boomers gave Hickert, who attended college just under an hour away from Lake Erie at the University of Akron, all the run support he would need in the third inning. Chase Dawson dropped a two-out RBI single into left to score Gaige Howard, who extended his on-base streak to 33 in the game. Blake Grant-Parks made it 2-0 with an opposite field RBI single in the fourth. Dawson would add an insure run in the ninth with an RBI single against the fourth Lake Erie hurler.

The shutout marked the fourth of the season for the Boomers as Hickert tossed over 110 pitches in the win. Zach Huffins and Dawson tallied a pair of hits as the Boomers finished with six in the decision. Schaumburg stole six bases in the win to match the franchise record.

The Boomers (21-12) will continue the series on Wednesday night at 6:05pm CST with LHP Kobey Schlotman (5-2, 3.00) on the mound against former big leaguer JD Hammer (0-1, 2.89). Schaumburg is back at home this weekend for three more days of fun-filled action at Wintrust Field including a pair of fireworks displays. Tickets are available by visiting boomersbaseball.com or calling 847-461-3695.