An Adam Naliwajko home run helped awaken the Webster University baseball team's offense as the Gorloks defeated Washington University, 6-3, on April 12 at GCS Ballpark. After being blanked for five innings, the Gorloks scored six runs in two innings to take charge in the non-conference tilt.
The Gorloks entered the bottom of the sixth down, 1-0, having no hits to that point. Naliwajko (SO, Mt. Prospect, IL/St. Viator HS) changed all of that with one swing of the bat as he homered to left to lead off the inning. Jeff Kammer (SR, Chesterfield, MO/Lafayette HS) singled and was sarificed to second. Kammer took third on a wild pitch and Brandon Smith (JR, Imperial, MO/Seckman HS) was hit by a pitch. Smith broke for second as the Bears catcher bit, throwing down to second, with Kammer stealing home as Smith got into a rundown. Webster ended the inning up, 2-1.
Trey Tigart (JR, Sikeston, MO/Sikeston HS) started the game for Webster, allowing just two hits and one run through six. But the Bears had back to back triples to lead off the seventh to tie the game at 2-2. Tigart hit the next batter to put runners at first and third with none down. He got a grounder to third as the runner at third was tagged out at home, but the next batter walked to load the bases. A dropped pop fly in right resulted in a forceout at second and the go-ahead run scoring, putting Washington U back up, 3-2.
Webster came right back. Blake Thomas (SR, Troy, IL/Triad HS) singled to lead off the bottom of the seventh. Jake Milosch (FR, St. Charles, IL/St. Charles East HS) grounded back to the mound and reached on a throw in the dirt at second by the pitcher, with Thomas safe at second. A Dylan Rajkovich (SR, Orland Park, IL/Carl Sandburg HS) sacrifice bunt moved the runners over and Matt Wollnik (JR, Naperville, IL/Nequa Valley HS) followed with a two-run single to regain the lead for the Gorloks, 4-3.
Naliwajko walked and Kammer singled up the middle to score Wollnik, with Naliwajko taking third. Matt Murawaski (FR, Mokena, IL/St. Rita HS) pinch-ran for Naliwajko and came home on a balk as Kammer took second. Kammer was thrown out trying to take third on a wild pitch but the damage was done as the Gorloks led, 6-3.
Mitch Stefani (SR, Aurora, IL/West Aurora HS) took over on the mound in the eighth for Webster. He pitched around an error and a single in the frame, getting a ground out to second and a pop up to third to end the inning. Stefani also had to pitch around two hits in the ninth, but shut the Bears down for the save.
Tigart went seven innings, giving up four hits, three walks and two earned runs, while gaining his third win of the season. Stefani went two innings and picked up his second save of the year. He allowed three hits and no runs.
Naliwajko was 1-2 with a home run, RBI, and walk. Kammer was 2-3 with an RBI and stolen base, and Wollnik was 1-3 with an RBI,
Webster is 16-12 with the win and Washington University falls to 20-12. The Gorloks host Fontbonne University for a single game on April 16 at GCS, then will travel to Clayton, MO, on April 17 to play a doubleheader with the Griffins.
