CHICAGO – Recent UIC graduate Matt Bottcher has inked his first professional baseball contract, as the native of Romeoville, Illinois, has joined the Schaumburg Boomers of the Frontier League.
 
"I'm incredibly excited to get to start my career as a professional baseball player," said Bottcher. "It was a dream I had when I was a kid, so it's just been a really cool past few days."
 
Bottcher made his professional debut for the Boomers in their recent series against the Joliet Slammers, starting in all three contests. In his professional debut on June 8, Bottcher finished 2-for-2 at the plate with a walk and hit by pitch while driving in a pair of runs. The UIC infielder, who has been playing left field for the Boomers, is hitting .400 on the season (4-for-10) with five RBIs and a pair of walks.
 
An All-Horizon League First Team honoree this past season, Bottcher capped his UIC career seventh in program history with nine triples, including a season-best five this past season. Bottcher was fourth on the team with a .350 batting average, driving in 36 runs and hitting six home runs for the Flames.
 
Bottcher's .601 slugging percentage was tops on the team and ranked second on the team in home runs (9), doubles (13) and stolen bases (9).