Photo: Troy Baseball

November 30, 2022

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

Fairfield, Illinois to Marianna, Florida to Troy, Alabama, that's the road former Ontario Terriers left-handed pitcher Andre Wojtarowicz will take by the time his college career comes to a close.

Wojtarowicz announced recently that he would be transferring from Frontier Community College to powerhouse Chipola College for the spring season due to a Bobcats coaching change.

Prior to that announcement, he committed to Division I Troy University. The Trojans compete in the highly competitive Sun Belt Conference and are led by head coach and former University of South Carolina Gamecocks pitching coach Skylar Meade. Meade and his coaches were one of the deciding factors in the young southpaw's decision.

"The coaching staff at Troy was one of the biggest things that influenced my decision," Wojtarowicz said. "As soon as I met the coaches, I knew they were 100 per cent bought in to me as a player and person. I also fell in love with their campus and could really see myself going to school there."

When he lands on Troy's campus in the fall of 2023, he will be well-seasoned after two years of junior college baseball. It's been an experience that has developed him as a player both physically and mentally.

"Junior college has been a grind, to say the least," he said. "Whether it be the long bus trips or the conditioning in the early morning, I feel like junior college baseball has prepared me for whatever adversity is to come. I feel like I can get through anything, whether it be at Troy or, hopefully, pro ball in the near future."

Not lost on the college hurler is his time spent working on his craft with the Terriers and their coaches. Hours spent inside The Baseball Zone in Mississauga and a schedule full of competitive games has helped him get to where he is today.

"Playing for the Terriers program helped me play with and against players of high caliber," he said. "Competing against top high school players every day really helped mould my game to the level it’s at today."

Wojtarowicz doesn't hesitate when asked what he expects upon stepping on campus for the Trojans. He wants to win and be an impact arm either as a starter or reliever, whatever the team needs.

Topping out at 96 mile per hour, Wojtarowicz knows what he's capable of and can bring to the Trojans staff.

"I feel like my biggest strength as a pitcher is my ability to bounce back," he said. "The game of baseball has a bunch of failure and I’ve experienced a ton of it so far and know I’m going to go through even more in the coming years. My ability to focus on the present moment and realize that failure isn’t going to last is definitely one of my biggest strengths."

From his days with the Terriers, then to Frontier and Chipola, and eventually Troy, Wojtarowicz credits his support system for always sticking by his side and being there for him.

"My family has had the biggest influence on my career," he said. "I'm very blessed to have a loving and supporting family no matter the circumstances. They’ve helped me get through the most negative days of my life and I’m very grateful for them."