Gomulka's efforts boost Andrew

Updated: April 22, 2011 2:02PM

Andrew's Chris Gomulka made the most out of his first start of the season.

The first baseman clubbed a home run in his first at-bat, igniting host Andrew to a 9-0 win over Lincoln-Way West in the SouthWest Suburban Red.

It was just Gomulka's second at-bat of the season. He pinch hit during a 10-5 loss to Joliet West after sitting out the outset of the campaign because of a hamstring injury.

"It felt good," said Gomulka of the homer, which came on an 2-and-0 pitch and sailed over the left-field fence for a 1-0 Thunderbolts lead. "It was a long recovery back. It was something special to hit a home run like that."

It was pretty much a perfect performance by Andrew (9-5, 1-0). The T-bolts had 13 hits, committed just one error and rode strong pitching from starter Ryan McCollam and reliever Marcus Radz.

Offensively, Nick DeBenedetti reached base four times, including two hits. Dan Durkin drove in three runs on a two-run triple and sacrifice fly, and Phil Bria contributed a pair of hits and two RBI to lead Andrew.

Craig Bothwell and Justin Rzeszutko also knocked in runs for the T-bolts.

"We played well today," Andrew coach Dave DeHaan said. "We got timely hitting and good pitching."

McCollam (2-2) wiggled his way out of jams through a five-inning, 77-pitch performance.

He allowed six hits, walked one, hit a batter and struck out two.

Radz, likewise, escaped trouble, leaving the bases loaded in the seventh. He struck out three over two innings.

The Warriors (7-2, 0-1) stranded 12 baserunners on the day.

Every batter in the West order reached base at least once and seven of the nine recorded at least one hit. The Warriors just could not come up with the timely hit.

Cody Vogler 2-for-4, while Dan Fifer reached base three times. Matt Bishop (3-1) took the loss on the mound.

"We embarrassed ourselves from top to bottom today," West coach Jake Zajc said. "I take full responsibility as coach. It was one of those days."

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