CRESTWOOD, Ill. — The Schaumburg Boomers built a big early lead but needed to hold on late, winning a third consecutive nail-biter by tallying a 7-5 win over the Windy City ThunderBolts in the opener of a weekend series in the South Suburbs.

The Boomers scored in the first inning for the second consecutive night, plating three runs. The first five batters of the game reached with the Boomers notching five hits in the frame. Alec Craig opened the contest with a single, stole second and crossed the plate on an RBI single from Travis Holt. Blake Berry would lift his seventh sacrifice fly of the year and Kokko Figueiredo added an RBI single in the inning.

The advantage grew to 5-0 with a pair of runs in the second. Gaige Howard singled home Will Prater and Chase Dawson lifted a sacrifice fly. Windy City scored a single run in the fifth but the Boomers again moved ahead by five with a single run in the seventh after the hosts left the bases full in the sixth. Berry lifted his second sac fly of the game to make it 5-1. The ThunderBolts struck for four runs to draw within 6-5 in the bottom of the seventh but stranded the tying run on base. Dawson coaxed a bases loaded walk in the top of the eighth to provide a needed insurance tally. Schaumburg drew nine walks in the game and matched a single game team record with eight steals, swiping eight for the third time this season.

Hunter Hoopes tossed five innings to earn his fourth win in six starts with the team, allowing one run with four walks and five strikeouts. Dylan Stutsman twirled the ninth to earn his second save in as many nights and his seventh of the year. The offense mustered 11 hits with Craig and Grant-Parks both tallying a pair. Howard stole three bases to equal the single game record.

The Boomers (48-33) will play the middle game of the series on Saturday night at 6:05pm. LHP Antonio Frias (2-1, 5.12) is slated to start for the Boomers against RHP Garrett Christman (7-3, 2.71). The Boomers still have nine home dates left on the schedule and will return to Wintrust Field on August 22 to open a six-game homestand. Don’t miss out on your chance to catch the Boomers in the playoff race. 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.