The first batter Homewood-Flossmoor relief pitcher Will Goldberg faced Friday hit a home run.
In the fourth inning, Lincoln-Way West’s Owen Wolcott deposited Goldberg’s pitch into the trees over the right-center fence to force a 5-5 tie.
Not exactly a promising start.
“I wasn’t really rattled,” Goldberg said. “Our field is unforgiving for pitchers. I thought if I hit my spots and mixed speeds, I’d be fine.”
Goldberg was better than fine.
The junior left-hander allowed only one other hit and struck out seven over four innings to lead host H-F to a 10-5 SouthWest Suburban Red win.
Goldberg didn’t only star on the mound. He also was a major factor at the plate.
His two-out, bases-loaded single in the fifth gave H-F a 7-5 lead, and the Vikings (16-5, 2-2) never looked back. Goldberg also doubled in the second inning.
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And the team’s next-level talent was on full display.
Gallien Coupet, a Creighton commit, went 3-for-4 with an RBI for H-F. Shai Robinson, an Illinois State recruit, went 2-for-3. Josh McAlister, an Ohio State commit, was 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs and Cleveland Hardy added a two-run single.
Robinson wasn’t surprised to see Goldberg come through against Lincoln-Way West (12-8, 4-3) with his arm and his bat.
“His off-speed stuff is the best,” Robinson said. “He has a great 12-to-6 curveball and a filthy change-up. Recently as a hitter, he’s hit some hard shots.”
None were bigger than his two-run single in the fifth, which was clouded in controversy.
It appeared Charlie Faoro’s fly ball to right field was the third out of the inning.
Instead, the base umpire ruled Lincoln-Way West right fielder Collin Murray dropped the ball during the transition of catching it and removing it from his glove.
The Vikings seized on that second chance. Coupet singled and Shane Jones walked, bringing up Goldberg.
After falling behind 1-2 in the count, Goldberg lined a single up the middle to score a pair of runs.
“I went with a two-strike approach and choked up on the bat,” he said. “I was just trying to get a hit.”
Goldberg’s impact wasn’t only on the field, according to Robinson.
“Will is a soft-spoken person,” Robinson said. “In the fourth inning, he came into the dugout and lit us up. You never expect that out of him. He’s always so poised, calm and collected. He doesn’t get too hyped.”
Lincoln-Way West coach Jake Zajc didn’t pin the blame for his team’s loss squarely on the umpire’s questionable call.
The Warriors blew early leads of 3-0 and 4-2 while stranding seven runners in the first three innings.
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“It was a pivotal call,” Zajc said. “It really changed the game, and that’s disappointing. We challenge the kids to overcome those moments. Things didn’t go our way and we got deflated.”
For Lincoln-Way West, Wolcott added a double to go with his homer and had two RBIs. Murray reached base three times, scored a run and drove in a run.
H-F coach John McCarthy liked the way Goldberg competed. He finished strong, striking out the side in the seventh inning.
“Will is quiet but outgoing,” McCarthy said. “He loves the game and is always looking to get better. He puts in the time and effort.
“He rose to the occasion (Friday). He located his pitches and attacked the zone. He kept a really good offense in check.”