BOOMERS COMPLETE SWEEP - FRONTIER DAILY ROUNDUP

BROOMIN' BOOMERS - SCHAUMBURG SWEEPS WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON COUNTY, PA - The Schaumburg Boomers finished a road series sweep of the Washington Wild Things on Sunday afternoon by a final score of 6-3.

After having to come from behind in their first two games of the year, the Boomers (3-0) started the scoring against Washington (0-3) with three runs in the third inning. Back-to-back singles and a wild pitch gave Schaumburg its first run, followed by 2B Alec Craig launching a two-run homer over the right field fence to cushion the lead. Craig finished his day with three hits, three RBIs, and a walk in the series finale against Washington. Schaumburg RHP Jackson Hickert surrendered only two runs through six innings, becoming the first Boomer starting pitcher to earn a decision this year. RHP Dariel Fregio picked up the loss for Washington after giving up three runs in just two innings of work.

The Boomers will return to action Monday at 7:30 PM EDT against the Tri-City ValleyCats for their home opener at Wintrust Field. The Wild Things will hit the road and head up to New England for a matchup with the Knockouts on Tuesday night at Campanelli Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:30 PM EDT.

OTTERS SCORE A DOZEN, BEAT JOLIET FOR FIRST WIN

JOLIET, IL - After scoring only five runs in their first two games of the series, the Evansville Otters put on an offensive clinic at Duly Health & Care Field to defeat the Joliet Slammers 12-5 on Sunday afternoon.

The Otters (1-3)  more than doubled their run total for the season on the strength of 13 hits and three home runs against the Slammers (2-1). Evansville scored nine runs in the first three innings, capped off by a grand slam in the third by CF Patrick Lee. Evansville LF Donivan Williams homered twice and picked up three RBIs in the game, which was more than enough run support for RHP Tyler Ras to earn his first win. RHP Andrew Dietz took the loss for Joliet after allowing five runs in 1.1 innings.

Evansville will celebrate their home opener on Tuesday at 7:35 PM EDT against the Gateway Grizzlies. Joliet will travel to Ohio to take on the Lake Erie Crushers on Tuesday, with a 12:05 PM EDT scheduled start.

VALLEYCATS TAKE DOWN T-BOLTS IN EXTRA INNINGS

CRESTWOOD, IL - The ValleyCats came back from a three-run deficit to defeat the Windy City ThunderBolts 8-5 in 10 innings on Sunday afternoon.

After scoring on an RBI groundout in the top of the first inning, the ValleyCats (2-1) found themselves trailing the ThunderBolts (2-2) by three runs. Tri-City came roaring back in the sixth inning, scoring four times to take a 5-4 lead. Their new lead was short-lived as they watched ThunderBolts LF Joe Johnson's game-tying home run sail over the right field wall in the seventh inning. The game was at a stalemate until RF Alec Olund singled in the top of the 10th to score ghost-runner Tyson Gingerich on what would end up being the game-clinching hit. The Cats added two more runs in the frame and RHP Nathan Medrano sat the T-Bolts down 1-2-3 to seal victory. Medrano picked up the win after pitching three innings of shutout ball out of the bullpen while LHP Tyler Naumann took the loss for Windy City.

The ValleyCats will travel to Schaumburg for a Monday night date with the Boomers, with a 7:30 PM EDT scheduled first pitch. Windy City will continue its homestand on Tuesday morning when they will host the red-hot Florence Y'alls at 11:35 AM EDT.

BOULDERS' PITCHING TOO MUCH FOR JACKALS

PONOMA, NY - The New York Boulders rallied behind their pitching staff's 16 strikeouts to earn the victory over the New Jersey Jackals.

For the third time this season, the Boulders (2-1) pitchers racked up double-digit strikeouts against the Jackals (1-2). RHP Brandon Backman's nine Ks and one run through five strong innings was everything New York could ask for at Clover Stadium, as the Boulders never trailed in Sunday's rubber match. The Jackals were able to claw back to within two runs, but New York 3B Chris Kwitzer's two-run homer in the eighth inning put the game out of reach. Backman got the winning decision for the Boulders while RHP Michael Gutierrez took the loss for the Jackals.

The Boulders will begin another home series on Tuesday against the Trois-Rivières Aigles beginning at 7:00 PM EDT. The Jackals will not play again until Wednesday when they host the Ottawa Titans at 11:35 AM EDT at Yogi Berra Stadium.

OTTAWA TAKES LEAD IN THE NINTH, SPOILS KNOCKOUTS OPENING SERIES

BROCKTON, MA - The Ottawa Titans squeaked out a 5-4 win on Sunday to take the opening series from the New England Knockouts.

With both starting pitchers locked in, the Titans (2-1) and the Knockouts (1-2) had to grind out at-bats and took a 2-2 tie into the eighth inning. Ottawa was able to push across two runs thanks to back-to-back sacrifice flies, but New England came right back to tie the game in the bottom half. The Titans were able to load the bases against New England RHP Reeves Martin in the ninth, and C Victor Cerny was able to drive in the go-ahead run with an infield single to the left side. RHP Erasmo Pinales tossed a scoreless ninth inning for his second save of the year as the Titans clinched the series win.

Ottawa will be in action on Wednesday when they travel to New Jersey for an 11:35 AM EDT game with the Jackals. The Knockouts will host the Washington Wild Things on Tuesday at Campanelli Stadium. First pitch at 6:30 PM EDT.

CRUSHERS BULLPEN QUIETS GRIZZLIES

AVON, OH - The Lake Erie Crushers extended their winning streak to two after defeating the Gateway Grizzlies 6-2 on Sunday afternoon.

The Crushers (2-1) were able to jump on the Grizzlies (1-2) early, scoring five runs across the first three innings. Crushers 1B Vincent Byrd Jr. continued to hum for Lake Erie, as he opened the scoring with a solo home run in the bottom of the first. After the Grizzlies took a one-run lead in the next inning, Lake Erie loaded the bases in the third for OF Ron Washington Jr. Washington cleared the bases with a double, and later scored on SS Jarrod Watkins' RBI triple. RHP Matt Mulhearn earned the win while allowing only two runs in his five innings of work. The Crusher bullpen was lights-out and allowed only two singles through four innings to close out the game and the series.

Lake Erie will begin the second part of their homestand when they host the Joliet Slammers on Tuesday at 11:05 AM EDT. The Gateway Grizzlies will look to get on track when they travel to Evansville to match up with the Otters on Tuesday night. First pitch scheduled for 7:35 PM EDT. 

AIGLES AND MINERS SPLIT DOUBLEHEADER

AUGUSTA, NJ - The Sussex County Miners and the Trois-Rivières Aigles split a doubleheader at Skylands Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with the Miners winning the first game 2-0, and the Aigles taking the second game 4-0.

In the first game of the afternoon, the Miners (1-2) were able to scratch across a pair of runs against the Aigles (1-2) on the strength of 2B Cory Acton's two-run single in the third inning. It was a combined shutout for the Miners, as LHP Mike Reagan, RHP Jose Ledesma Jr., and RHP Ronnie Voacolo combined for six hits and eight strikeouts in seven innings. Ledesma Jr. earned the win in relief and Voacolo tallied his first save of the year.

In the second game, the Aigles would give the Miners a taste of their own medicine. CF Raphael Gladu singled to left field in the second inning to bring in the game's first run. 2B Luis Curbelo followed with a three-run bomb. RHP Jesen Therrien struck out eight in five shutout innings to earn his first win of the season for the Aigles.

The Sussex County Miners will play another series at home beginning on Tuesday when they host the Québec Capitales at 7:05 PM EDT. The Aigles will travel to New York the face the Boulders at 7:00 PM EDT on Tuesday.