SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — The Schaumburg Boomers kicked off a huge series to open the final week of the season beginning the last home series of the year by drawing 11 walks in a 9-8 victory over the Florence Y’Alls, inching closer to a playoff slot. The win lowers the magic number to clinch a fifth playoff slot in six years down to four as the Boomers are two games clear of both Florence and Windy City with five games remaining.

The Boomers jumped ahead early, scoring two-out runs in the first two innings. Alec Craig scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the first as the Boomers took advantage of three walks. Chase Dawson singled home a run in the second. Florence drew within a run in the third but Anthony Calarco blasted his 15th longball of the year to again hand the Boomers a two-run cushion at 3-1. Florence plated six runs in the fourth, taking the lead on a grand slam from Zade Richardson with two outs.

Schaumburg battled back to within a run by scoring twice in the fourth and once in the fifth. Cole Smith swatted a two-run homer in the fourth and Banks Tolley added a solo shot in the fifth as the Boomers pulled within 7-6. Tolley evened the game with a 433-foot missile leading off the seventh. Florence was able to grab the lead on a wild pitch in the top of the eighth but the lead was short lived. Banks Tolley singled home Kyle Fitzgerald on a 3-2 pitch to tie the game and pinch hitter Cole Turney drew a bases loaded walk on a 3-2 delivery to provide the deciding run.

Cole Cook struck out five in five innings but did not factor in the decision. Darrell Thompson earned the in in his third appearance with the team, facing the minimum over 1.1 innings. The offense finished with 12 hits in the win. Tolley finished with three hits and five RBIs. Smith and Will Prater both posted two hits.All nine members of the lineup reached base in the win.

The Boomers (54-43) continue the final home series of the season on Wednesday night at 6:30pm. It will be Hispanic Heritage Night at Wintrust Field. RHP Cole Zaffiro (1-4, 3.71) is slated to start against LHP CJ Blowers as the series continues. Don’t miss out on the fun before it’s too late. Feel the Boom this summer! Visit boomersbaseball.com or call 847-461-3695 to secure your ticket to fun this summer.