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Q&A: New Oxford's Keegan Romanoff discusses hit record


It wasn't a great baseball season for New Oxford, but it is one that will live on in the Colonials' record book.

With two hits in the team's season finale, senior catcher and leadoff hitter Keegan Romanoff set a new single-season record with 35 hits over the course of 20 games. He posted a batting average of .522, breaking the previous record of 34 hits in 23 games.

Romanoff, who is headed to Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi, W. Va., next fall to play football, discussed the record.

Q How aware were you of the record heading into the last game of the season? How aware were your coaches and teammates of the record?

A Heading into the last game, I knew I needed one more hit for the record. I figured I would have three more chances since we were picking up in the top of the second because of a rain delay from last week that postponed us. My coaches and teammates were all aware of the record. About five games before, there was talk about me possibly beating it, but before that I didn't think about it at all. My teammates and I thought the record was 32 hits my second to last game (on senior day), but Coach (Scott) Anderson informed us that it was officially 34 hits. At that time I currently had 31 hits thinking I only needed two to beat it, but when I heard it was 34, I stayed focused and went 3-for-3 that game to tie the record.

Q What was going through your head during the record-breaking at-bat?

A It was pretty much like any other at-bat, but I knew this would be my last at-bat for my high school career, and I thought it would be pretty memorable if I could beat the record. My teammates showed a lot of support.

Q How did the record-breaking hit happen?

A It was my fourth time against the pitcher this game. Two times (Tuesday), and once more before we got rained out last Thursday. My first at-bat, I rifled one down first base line for a single, my second and third at-bats I hit almost identical hits in the air right behind third base, but their shortstop caught the first and the left fielder caught the second. In my last at-bat, I went up, the pitcher was struggling a little bit so I watched the first pitch go by. It was a strike. In his second pitch, I could tell it was hittable so I swung and hit a grounder towards the second baseman. I was confident in my speed even if the second baseman had the chance to throw me out. I was running as fast as I could because I was not going to let him throw me out. I knew I did it when I looked over to my dugout and saw all my teammates cheering and giving thumbs up.

Q How big of a deal is this record to you? Where does it rank among your other athletic accomplishments during your time at New Oxford?

A It's an honor to have this record. It's definitely a mile-marker in my athletic career at New Oxford.

Q How did you celebrate the record?

A My parents took photos of my teammates and I with the ball I hit for the record. After, I went home, cleaned up, and went back to the school for my younger brother's violin concert. My extended family was there, and they all congratulated me. The next night we went out to dinner at LongHorn Steakhouse to celebrate.

Q You're going to play football in college, but are you going to continue playing baseball in any capacity?

A I've explored the idea of playing baseball with the recruiting coach at Alderson Broaddus. There will be more factors that play a role if I decide to play both baseball and football since they are year-round at the college level.

Q Of all your hits this season, which one was the most memorable?

A My most memorable hit this season was during my first at-bat in our ninth game this season against Red Lion. I hit a ball into right center and got a triple out of it, Ethan Hertz then hit a ball to the second baseman, which enabled me to score and was the only run of the game. Alex Smith pitched a great game and shut them out. We won 1-0.

Q Can you see any of your current teammates breaking your record in the next few years? If so, who is the most likely?

A Anything is possible. It is not easy by any means at all, very few people get to 30-plus hits in a 20-game season. We have a lot of talent and if someone has a great year, they have the chance.