Schaumburg’s win clinches division title
Schaumburg first baseman Rock Shoulders applies the tag that barely puts out Wild Things’ Bralin Jackson, making the first out in the bottom of the third inning Tuesday in Washington.
Schaumburg catcher James Keller hustles back to first base as Wild Things’ Kane Sweeney readies for the throw from pitcher Chase Cunningham to hold the runner Tuesday in Washington.
Wild Things’ center fielder Rashad Brown scores in the bottom of the fourth inning Tuesday in Washington.
Schaumburg pitcher Brandon Quintero fields a ground ball hit by Wild Things’ Kenny Peoples-Walls and makes the throw to first, ending the third inning and stranding two runners Tuesday in Washington.
High fives greet Wild Things’ shortstop Mike Hill as he returns to the dugout after hitting a home run in the bottom of the second inning to start the scoring in a game against Schaumburg Tuesday in Washington.
The Schaumburg Boomers have the best record in the Frontier League, and they showed why Tuesday night at Wild Things Park.
The Boomers, who were playing without two of their starting outfielders, had 13 hits – all singles – and scored in five consecutive innings en route to an 8-4 victory over Washington.
It was the 58th victory of the season for Schaumburg and one worth celebrating – even if they opted to wait until after they left the field to spray the beer and champagne – because the Boomers clinched their second division title in six years.
“You don’t take ’em for granted, especially after the last two years,” Schaumburg manager Jamie Bennett said, recalling his team’s most-recent seasons that produced 41-55 and 40-56 records.
Washington, which is still battling for a wild-card playoff berth, led 4-3 in the fourth inning but Schaumburg scored the game’s final five runs as its hitters took over. The Boomers, who began the night with a league-best .289 team batting average, had seven of their 13 hits come with two strikes on the batter.
“Believe me, that didn’t go unnoticed,” Washington manager Gregg Langbehn said. “We didn’t put ’em away. We struck out 10 times and they struck out three.”
While Schaumburg was filling up the ballpark with base hits, Washington seemed bent on self-destruction. The Wild Things committed three errors and starting pitcher Chase Cunningham (9-3) hit four batters in 5 1/3 innings. Two of the hit batsmen and one batter who reached base on an error eventually came around to score.
The Wild Things had plenty of chances to forge a commanding lead against Schaumburg starter Brandon Quintero (4-2). Washington began the bottom of the first with runners on the corners and no outs after a walk by James Harris and Rashad Brown’s hit-and-run single. The Wild Things, however, did not score after a groundout and two strikeouts.
Washington was 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position until Harris drove in Mike Hill from second base with a single in the fourth.
“Our hitting with runners in scoring position early in the game was less than desirable,” Langbehn said. “We have to capitalize and give Cunningham a lead to work with. We did that last week against Quintero (a 14-5 Washington win). There was a whole list of things we didn’t do well this time.”
Much of the damage done by Schaumburg hitters was supplied by catcher James Keller and left fielder Jack Parenty, the Nos. 8 and 9 hitters in the Boomers’ lineup. They each had three hits and combined to reach base safely in eight straight plate appearances. Parenty drove in three runs.
“These guys have played hard all year,” Bennett said. “We don’t have that one guy who we rely on. The entire lineup and the bench had to and has done a great job.”
Washington led 4-3 in the fourth inning, but Schaumburg scored an unearned run in the fifth and took the lead in the sixth on a run-scoring single by Zack Weigel, which was followed by John Holland’s two-run single on an 0-2 pitch.
Hill hit a solo home run and a double for Washington. He scored two runs.
“For me, the difference is the first three innings,” Langbehn said. “The opportunity to string some hits together was there. … When you’re fighting for a playoff spot you have to find a way to get things done.”
Schaumburg has won six in a row at Wild Things Park. … Washington first baseman Kane Sweeney drew his league-leading 76th walk in the first inning to set the franchise single-season record and extend his on-base streak to 33 games. He also had a 32-game on-base streak this season. Sweeney has reached base safely in 80 of Washington’s 84 games. … The late-afternoon rain in the area kept the crowd away. Attendance was listed as only 828, the fourth-smallest crowd in the Wild Things’ 16-year history. … Former Trinity High School standout Joe Havrilak, an outfielder, has signed with the Gary SouthShore Railcats of the independent American Association.