Anthony Hernandez, Athletic Communications Assistant (Photo Courtesy of Rutgers Athletics)
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Feb. 13, 2014) – In advance of the 2014 season, ScarletKnights.com will bring you brief Q&As with all nine newcomers of the Rutgers softball team. This installment features freshman Gabrielle Romanowski (Freehold, N.J.).
#15 Gabrielle Romanowski – Fr.
Pos: C/3B
Bats/Throws: R/R
Prior to Rutgers: A three-year letter winner … finished with a .508 batting average in her junior year, ranking in the top 10 in the Shore Conference … notched the top batting average in the Shore Conference in her senior season, hitting .628 … two-time All-Shore Third Team selection (2010 and 2013) … earned all-district team for three consecutive years (2010-2012) … named to the B North Coaches List all four years of high school (2010-2013) … served as captain of the RKE Jaxx club team from 2012-2013.
Personal Info: Daughter of Theodore and Elizabeth … has three sisters, Rachael, Mary and Caroline and two brothers, Teddy and Joseph … intends to major in food science … her grandfather, Salvator Micchelli, graduated from Rutgers in 1950 … born June 23, 1995.
What is your favorite part of being on this team?
“One of my favorite parts of this team is that, if I have any questions, I can just walk up to anybody on the team and say ‘hey can you help me with this?’ or ‘hey, can you tell me what I’m doing wrong and help me out?’ They’re all willing and really nice. They’re like family.”
Was it important to you to stay in New Jersey to play softball?
“When I was first looking, I wanted to get as far as possible from home, but it didn’t really hit me how much I enjoy actually being close to home until I came here. I like the idea of being 45 minutes away from my house. There’s only so much you can do on a phone call, it’s better to see family face to face, give them a hug and all that stuff. Staying at home is a good thing.”
What is your favorite part of campus?
“Having that sense of freedom, but that sense of freedom also comes with the responsibility of being able to take care of yourself. It’s been a good experience actually becoming responsible for myself and asking a lot of questions to figure out where to go and not to rely on my parents.”
Do you have any hobbies when not playing softball?
“Taking naps. I play the ukulele on the side – I’m not very good – but I try. I also like to hang out with my roommate and relax.”
How did you start playing the ukulele?
“My cousin came over one day and she brought this little instrument and starting playing it. I really like the sound of it, it kind of relaxes me. Hopefully one day I can go to Hawaii and learn their ways. But it lets me get away from the stresses of school and softball for a couple minutes.”
What is your best softball memory?
“I don’t know if I have one, but my favorite moments are the downtime you periodically have with your teammates. I remember playing all the silly games, making up silly handshakes, talking about something that happening in the game that was really funny or maybe something serious that you need to work on. Being on the team and just hanging out as friends as well as teammates is what I enjoy most.”
