re: Baseball Recruiting Discussion

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That’s one way, and probably the best way, to describe class of 2015 commitment Tyler Romanik (Blythewood/Blythewood). Sure, he can do a lot of things defensively. He can play various positions and run well for a stallion his size but what he can certainly do, what is easily identifiable, is hit.

Romanik was the second player to make a verbal pledge to South Carolina in his class. The staff wasn’t sure exactly where he would fit from a position standpoint in the years it will take for him to get to campus but they know he’ll swing the bat and drive in runs.

When the end of the regular season rolled around, Romanik hit .415 with five home runs and 29 RBIs for his Blythewood High School team. The Bengals played to the very last day forcing a Game 3 of the AAAA state championship game.

Romanik, who knows why he was recruited, is always looking for ways to improve though. Even though viewed as a hitter, he wants to be a defensive player. Standing 6-foot-2 and tipping the scales at 200-plus pounds, his athleticism can be overlooked.

“The coaches liked my overall demeanor and how I present myself,” Romanik said. “They like how I hit the ball and how I carry myself on the field. I need to improve to become a catcher at the college level, but I’d say catcher or third (as a college position).”

This summer with the EvoShield Canes, Romanik is playing predominantly the corner infield positions - first and third base. This summer, while he has some aspects at the plate he wants to improve, it’s defensively he wants to make his mark.

“I worked on my swing, staying short and hitting the ball back side,” Romanik said of his high school season. “I tried not to pull off the ball too much. I have more to work on but defensively, I need to have a better pop time, work on my footwork, lose a little weight and get a little quicker. I just have to develop a better style.”

“I just need to be out there every day and practice,” Romanik said. “I need to keep seeing change and keep improving. At the plate, I’m working on bat speed and staying through the ball and inside of it. Just hitting better pitches.”

Hitter, or whatever other title he’s given, Romanik knew he wanted to be at South Carolina. He owned offers from Florida and Clemson before deciding to stay close to home to take his next step in baseball.

“I’ve always been a diehard Carolina fan and I loved it here,” Romanik said. “I fell in love once I moved here. I got to see the school, like that it’s incorporated with the town and it’s very friendly. I love the school and the coaches here.”

“It’s a lot of fun to get to know your teammates,” Romanik said. “When we get to school, we’ll know our strength and weaknesses. We’ll know how to help each other and it’s just a lot of fun.”

The weaknesses may be hard to pick out but we know Romanik’s strength.

Hitter.

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