EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Kicking off a big weekend series between the second and third place teams in the Frontier League’s West Division, the Schaumburg Boomers lost to the Evansville Otters in sudden death, twice failing to hold late inning leads on Friday night.

The Boomers jumped ahead early with a single run in the top of the first. Kokko Figueiredo recorded a two-out double and Gaige Howard followed by tucking a two-bagger just inside the right field line to score Figueiredo. Howard was thrown out at the plate to conclude the first inning. After Evansville tied the game in the bottom of the first, the Boomers plated a pair of runs in the second to open a 3-1 advantage. Brett Milazzo lifted a sacrifice fly to plate Zach Huffins and Will Prater hustled home from second on a fielder’s choice to score a key run.

Evansville pulled within 3-2 in the bottom of the inning but the Boomers turned an odd triple play when the Otters attempted to score the tying run from second on a double play ball. Howard was able to add a key insurance run with a two-out infield single in the top of the seventh, making the score 4-2. Evansville rallied to tie the score by scoring twice with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, sending the game to extras.

Prater put together a 12-pitch at bat with two outs in the top of the 10th, breaking through with a bloop opposite field single to score Howard with the go-ahead run. Evansville was able to tie the game in the bottom of the inning and made the choice to go on defense for sudden death with their closer on the mound. The Boomers had runners at first and second with one away but Jake Polancic recorded back-to-back strikeouts to hand the hosts the win.

Shumpei Yoshikawa started and worked five innings. The Boomers finished with 10 hits, recording double-digit hits for the ninth time in the last 10 contests. Howard logged two with a pair of RBIs. Huffins and Prater also posted two each. Alec Craig and Blake Berry extended their on-base streaks to 22 and 21 respectively.

The Boomers (42-27) continue the series in Indiana tomorrow night at 6:35pm. RHP Luis Perez (4-4, 4.38) is scheduled to start for the Boomers against RHP Justin Watland (6-4, 6.43). The Boomers return home on Tuesday night. Visit boomersbaseball.com or call 847-461-3695 to secure your tickets to a game before summer is gone and ensure you don’t miss out on the fun.