Seven Genoa seniors now look ahead to the future

“I will remember the relationship we had as a team and how much fun it all was,” said senior catcher Nick Wolfe. “We were very close and to do something big like this with the guys you grew up with awesome. It was a fun ride. I wouldn’t trade this team for anything.

In a controversial play at third base during the state semifinal at Huntington Park, Kyle Edwards dropped the ball after this tag, but Genoa argues that the runner kicked the ball loose. (Press photo by Harold Hamilton/HEHphotos.smugmug.com)

“To be only the third team to (advance to state) is an honor. The 1974 & ’99 teams were great teams and to be a part of that baseball history and Genoa’s history is definitely an honor.”

Another senior, finesse breaking ball pitcher Luke Rightnowar, who transferred from Toledo Christian and came to Genoa with his father, Ron, the coach, was the team’s ace, going 9-2 with a 1.26 ERA and striking out 40 in 62.2 innings.

His counterpart, the hard throwing Jake Wojciechowski was just as impressive, finishing with a 5-1 record, 1.50 ERA and 57 strikeouts in just 40.1 innings. His no-hitter in the Comets’ 4-0 win over Huron in the regional finals was a classic and will cement his place in Genoa sports history. He and Rightnowar were joined in the rotation by Kyle Edwards (4-0, 2.00 ERA, 23 K) and Matt Aumiller (4-1, 2.40 ERA, 21 K), forming a potent and deep staff that was among the state’s best.

Luke Rightnowar was also a standout in basketball and set the school’s all-time career scoring leader after he passed Ron Hammye (1,085), who held the record for 41 years. Basketball remains his love, but baseball his passion, and reaching the state tournament was another plus for his athletic resume.

“It was a great year and a great way to end my high school career,” said Luke, who will play basketball at Wayne State University. “It’s great for the baseball program and this really helped to establish it. It’s been really fun. It was different at first (when I transferred from TC), but we’ve made a lot of memories. We have had a lot of success not only in baseball but in basketball, too.”

The club, led by fourth-year coach Ron Rightnowar, had it all – pitching, hitters and a defense that gave the team a chance to compete at the highest level. However, it was defense that let them down as three critical errors led to six early runs by Summit Country Day, too much for a late Genoa rally to overcome in a seven-inning game.

The team’s hitting was magnificent, featuring three players who hit .429 or better. Wojociechowski finished just head of Wolfe in batting average, .468 to .462 and Wojo hit five doubles and drove in 21 runs. Wolfe, who was honorable mention All-Ohio, hit two home runs, drove in 27 runs and walked 19 times, all tops on the club.

Kyle Edwards hit .429 with a double, 14 RBIs and walked 14 times to earn a .550 on-base percentage. Shortstop Cody Pickard, the team’s defensive ace, if you had to pick one, hit .333 with five doubles and 19 RBIs.

The rest of the batting order featured Matt Aumiller (.329, 3 2B, 18 RBIs), Blake Traver (.320, 1 2B, 11 RBIs), Matt Bradfield (.313, 1 2B, 18 RBIs), Luke Rightnowar (.258, 1 2B, 10 RBIs) and Jarrod Brossia (.250, 2 2B, 10 RBIs).

Traver, a standout in football, credits his teammates with maintaining focus and working hard throughout the offseason.

“Everyone worked hard in the offseason and we were all on the same page during the season,” he said. “We were coached very well, too. It was a great experience – we were a close-knit family and we always fought to the end. It’s great to know that all of our hard work paid off.”