Wojciechowski leads Genoa past Lake in district final

Genoa graduate Chris Bassitt sent Comets pitcher Jake Wojciechowski a text before Saturday’s Division III district final victory over Lake that helped Wojciechowski focus.

But there is not calming him down. Wojciechowski struck out the first batter on three pitches and the final batter while enthusiastically working his way through the batters in between as Genoa advanced to face Baltimore Liberty Union at 5 p.m. Thursday at Elida Middle School.

Bassitt has spent portions of the last two seasons pitching for the Chicago White Sox and Oakland Athletics, respectively.

“He told me I’m playing myself,” Wojciechowski said. “Don’t worry about the opposing pitcher and don’t worry about the batters. Just do your thing. Focus and play hard. That calmed me down.

“I was nervous. He said to keep my composure and not get too excited.”

Wojciechowski struck out nine and walked six while allowing five hits and two runs in the seventh. He reached 86 on the radar gun with his fastball and made a habit of throwing first-pitch curveball for strikes.

“Wojo is definitely the emotional leader,” Genoa designated hitter Matt Bradfield said. “When he gets hyped everybody else wants to get hyped with him. When he gets into a game we want to hit for him and go 100 percent for him.

“He’s an important leader on the team.”

Wojciechowski is atypical as he often pumps his fist, claps his hands or hollers encouragement to teammates – or himself -- from the mound. He walked off the mound smiling broadly after recording the third out on a strikeout in the third, fourth and fifth innings, including one on a knuckleball.

“I was jumping off the mound and clapping,” he said. “I knew if I was around the strike zone things would be good. I took a deep breath and relaxed.”

Wojciechowski pulled his hamstring May 3 and pitched in only one game – one inning against Fostoria on May 15 – between then and Saturday. He was rusty and couldn’t pick up his leg or locate against the Redmen.

He was anxious but comfortable Saturday.

“My left felt great,” Wojciechowski said. “Throwing the ball felt nice and smooth. My offspeed worked. I hadn’t thrown that forever.

“(Coach Ron Rightnowar) tells me to keep doing what I do and focus ahead on the next inning. Don’t live in the past and throw the ball.”

The Comets fed off Wojciechowski, who notched a strikeout on three straight curves with two outs and the bases loaded in the fifth, on Saturday.

Kyle Edwards singled to the opposite field and scored on a sacrifice fly from Wolfe in foul territory in the first. Luke Rightnowar singled on the infield and scored on another infield single from Blake Traver in the second.

Edwards scored on an error after an infield single in the third. Wojciechowski and Wolfe scored on a single from Bradfield as the trio had consecutive hits in the fifth.

“He threw me a couple balls that were close,” Bradfield said. “I was waiting for a pitch to do something with and I got it. Hopefully I can stay hot.”

Liberty Union eliminated top-seed Fredericktown 8-0 in the district semifinals.