SPORTS

Regional tournament nothing new for Genoa’s seniors

Matthew Horn
Reporter

Genoa’s Luke Rightnowar, Jake Wojciechowsk, Nick Wolfe and Cody Pickard were sophomore starters on the team that advanced to the regional finals two years ago.

Matt Aumiller, Blake Traver and Jarrod Brossia were reserves on that team.

“We learned that, at this point in the tournament, any mistake can cost you and you need to play solid,” Rightnowar said. “Every team that makes it this far is a good team.”

The Comets won’t take anything for granted. They play Baltimore’s Liberty Union at 5 p.m. Thursday at Elida Middle School.

“The mindset is to go as hard as you can and don’t be afraid to make mistakes,” Pickard said. “Just have fun. It’s a great time, and moments like these will make memories that will last forever.”

Pickard remembers the strong community support two years ago.

“This team reminds me of the one two years ago because we are all so close and we have each other’s back,” he said. “It’s a brotherhood. We all have been playing with each other for a very long time, and we just have that mindset we are not here to lose. We’re here to make a run in this thing.”

The Comets advanced to the regional finals in 2013 before falling 8-1 to Bloom Carroll.

“Experience can be an advantage,” Wolfe said. “We’ve been there. We know what it takes to win, and we know what it’s like to lose, too.”

Genoa has scored 15 runs in this year’s tournament.

“Our offense has come alive of late,” Rightnowar said. “Our coaches have really been preparing us well for the type of pitching we are going to see in the tournament, and it has paid off.”

Every batter except one had at least one hit Saturday in Genoa’s 5-2 victory over Lake.

“We have people that are staying hot,” Wojciechowski said.

Genoa (23-3) won the Northern Buckeye Conference outright this season.

“Playing as a team,” Wojciechowski said of the key to the team’s success thus far. “Always being positive. Helping each other out when we see each other doing something wrong. Becoming closer to have more trust in each other.”

That chemistry has been developing for several years. The Comets fell 4-3 to Archbold in eight innings in the district semifinals last season.

“We didn’t really feel any pressure,” Rightnowar said of defending the team’s district crown as juniors. “We just set the expectations high for our team.”

The boys hope they’ve helped put down a foundation so things stay that way.

“We definitely want to establish something special at Genoa,” Rightnowar said. “Especially for us seniors. We started it as sophomores and we have improved each year and started to establish a program.

“We have a chance to do something special this year and help the program as it moves forward.”

Liberty Union entered the postseason with a sub-.500 record

It will play in the first regional semifinal in program history Thursday.

David Smith has allowed only one unearned run with appearances in each of the team’s postseason games.

Liberty Union (15-14) defeated Bishop Hartley 6-4 in the district semifinals. Bishop Hartley’s unearned run off Johnny Putnam (credited to Smith) was the first Liberty Union allowed in more than 22 innings.

Liberty Union next beat Fredericktown — the top-ranked team in the state — 8-0 for the first district title in 21 years as Smith and Putnam combined on a one-hitter. Catcher Brandon Harlan was 3 for 3 with three RBIs, one walk and one run.

Liberty Union, which also advanced to the district finals last season, scored six runs with two outs.

Smith struck out three and walked two while allowing two hits in a 12-0 victory over Grandview Heights in five innings in the sectional finals. Travis Turley hit his first home run of the season.

Liberty Union’s 15-4 victory over Licking Valley in six innings to cap the regular season was a harbinger. It had 20 hits.

Luke Bressler, Eric Owens, Adam Snyder and Kyle Boggs also have contributed in the postseason. Boggs can pitch and Smith had two hits, drove in one run and scored another against Bishop Hartley.

Liberty Union’s defense has been solid in the tournament, including infielder Tyler Makuch.

Liberty Union’s schedule also includes Bloom Carroll and Logan Elm.

mhorn@gannett.com

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Twitter: @MatthewHornNH