As a first-time starter this season, Warren sophomore first baseman Oliver Rojewski knew he was going to face challenges.
Not letting those moments overwhelm him has been critical for him.
“The nerves were high at first,” Rojewski said. “I was scared to mess up. Once I overcame that, I haven’t looked back since.
“I knew I could do it, but I just had to prove myself to the coaches — and to myself.”
If further proof was needed, Rojewski offered it during a Class 4A Libertyville Sectional semifinal on Wednesday. He went 3-for-3 with three RBIs to back senior right-hander Peyton Balanag in the second-seeded Blue Devils’ 6-0 win over 13th-seeded Buffalo Grove.
Junior Braxton Goodfellow and sophomore Ethan Gross also had two hits apiece for Warren (24-10), which will play top-seeded Libertyville (27-10-1) in the sectional championship game at 10 a.m. Saturday. The Blue Devils will be pursuing their first sectional title against the defending state champion Wildcats, who swept a two-game North Suburban Conference series between the teams.
Rojewski’s first hit against the Bison (17-20) was the most significant. The Blue Devils already led 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning when Rojewski, batting left-handed, faced left-hander Drew Carrison and drew out a long at-bat. Rojewski fouled off a plethora of pitches before he laced a two-run single to double the lead.
“I just wanted to put a good swing on the ball,” he said. “I try not to think about righty-lefty or lefty-lefty. I just go up there and think, ‘That’s the pitcher. Bat to ball and put a nice swing on it.’ I try not to get in my own head about it.”
Balanag (8-2), who appreciated the extra runs, was on cruise control for the entirety of his six-inning outing. He scattered five singles, walked only one and struck out five, and he didn’t allow a runner beyond second base. Junior right-hander Mason Palmer then struck out the side in the top of the seventh.
“Getting those four runs right off the bat really calmed me down,” Balanag said. “I just had to pump strikes and let my teammates field the ball.”
Warren coach Clint Smothers, who recorded his 400th win on Saturday, said Rojewski has been a pleasant surprise.
“We didn’t know who was going to play first base this year, and we saw Oliver in open gyms and saw that he could swing it a little bit,” Smothers said. “He’s been a plus all year, battling at the plate every day. He’s had a great sophomore year being up and playing against this competition.”
Balanag, who also was promoted to the varsity team as a sophomore, appreciates Rojewski’s ability to handle that competition.
“It’s impressive how he’s able to keep himself composed,” Balanag said. “He goes out there every day and does his best and makes sure he gets his reps in. He’s prepared for it. Being young and being around older people, I got nervous, but he’s taken it well.”
Rojewski echoed Balanag when he was asked what has made him successful.
“I think my best attribute is my full effort on every play, not giving up on myself, even when I start to doubt myself a little bit, and powering through it and playing my game,” Rojewski said. “I try to stay positive as much as I can and try to put all the bad thoughts behind me.”
Rojewski hasn’t entertained any bad thoughts about Warren’s prospects, however.
“I would have been shocked with the three RBIs from me today, but I had no doubts in this team making it this far,” he said. “We put in the work all winter and play hard as a team and have good chemistry. I just believe in us.”
That chemistry is on full display among the Blue Devils, who have freshly bleached blond hair. Not Rojewski, though.
“My mom wasn’t a big fan of the bleach, so I kind of had to listen to her,” he said. “I didn’t want to go against her words. Next year, though, I’m going all in.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
