The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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that will count towards next season," she said. "I know other people will be track- ing my stats, and that's fine, but I have to go into the year with the same mindset that I did this year." That mindset is special, according to her coach. "When she walks on the field, she believes she's the best player, she be- lieves she's the best hitter, and more than anything she believes she's bet- ter than the pitcher she's up against," Hutchins said. "Her confidence is just so consis- tent, and that's the kind of kid you want on the field because she will do everything she can to win." Romero's numbers will come and she will continue to rack up hard- ware, but there is a prize she has yet to achieve that will likely define her status as Michigan's best ever — a ring. "She can be Player of the Year in the Big Ten, she can be a first-team All-American, and a finalist for our sport's best player, but I would think she would want the biggest accom- plishment of our sport, and that's winning a national championship," Hutchins said. "If I was her, that's what would drive me, and knowing her, it does. "She will continue to work to be the best player in the country, but the thrill of winning a championship is like nothing else, and I think our kids from the 2005 national title team would be the first to tell her that in- dividual awards mean nothing com- pared to that." Without a doubt, Romero strives to realize the ultimate goal. "I can't wait to see what happens these next two seasons because we have so much good talent coming in, and then we have a lot of experience and camaraderie on the current team, and we're hungry," Romero said. "I'm proud of the season we had. We never gave up even when it got tough, but our goal is to get to the World Series and win the national championship." ❑ Romero hit 18 home runs (seventh in the U-M single-season annals), drove in 72 runs (third place), crossed the plate for 74 runs (first) and drew 66 walks (second all time). PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS