SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (May 20, 2026) – The Down East Bird Dawgs were stifled from the start Wednesday night, unable to recover from a five-run first inning by the Schaumburg Boomers in a 7-1 loss at Boomers Stadium, dropping Down East to 4-7 and one loss away from a series sweep.

Schaumburg sent nine batters to the plate in the first inning, plating five runs — four earned — to take an early stranglehold on the game.

Down East managed a brief spark in the fifth when Lyle Miller-Green singled in a run to cut it to 5-1, but the Bird Dawgs stranded the bases loaded to keep the deficit intact.

Jeff Nicol added a two-run single in the seventh to close out the 7-1 final.

Brandon Kaminer (0-1) took the loss despite a gutsy effort, allowing five runs — four earned — on nine hits over 5⅔ innings with four strikeouts and two walks. Jackson Hicks followed with 2⅓ innings in relief, surrendering two runs on one hit with three walks and two strikeouts.

Buddie Pindel (2-0) earned the win for Schaumburg, allowing one run on seven hits over five innings with one walk and one strikeout.

The Bird Dawgs (4-7) look to avoid the series sweep Thursday, May 21, with first pitch scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.