DeLand, Fla. -- Making just his third start of the year, sophomore Will Romanowicz tossed a complete-game seven-hitter as Stetson captured the 2006 Atlantic Sun Conference Championship with a 6-2 victory over ETSU Saturday afternoon at Melching Field.
The Hatters (38-22) went a perfect 4-0 in the tournament to win the A-Sun title for the second straight year and for the sixth time overall. Stetson is now headed to its sixth NCAA Regional this decade and will learn its destination when the field of 64 is announced Monday at 12:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Romanowicz's complete-game performance was just the second by a Hatter this season, and the first of the nine-inning variety in over two years. It capped off a solid week by Stetson's pitching staff, which posted a 2.84 team ERA in the four games.
“We played really well this week,” Stetson coach Pete Dunn said. “Our pitching has been strong all year, but they even stepped up another notch in this tournament. And defensively, I think this team is one of the best in the nation. We had some close games, and solid pitching and defense will win those for you.”
Romanowicz (2-3) was brilliant from start to finish, allowing just two runs on seven hits. He did not walk a batter, he struck out two, and threw 75 of his 95 pitches for strikes. The Hatter sophomore had made just two previous starts all year.
“Romanowicz had not pitched a whole lot, but he got the win in his last outing over at South Florida two weeks ago,” Dunn said. “That gave him the confidence he needed and gave us as coaches confidence in him. He went out and was a bit shaky in the first inning, but once he got his feet under him he pitched wonderfully. I am so proud of him.”
The Hatter sophomore retired the side in order four times and set down the final eight batters in a row.
“I went out just trying to give my team a chance to win,” Romanowicz said. “We've gone through some highs and some lows this year and for team to get to the championship game was a big deal.”
The final out was recorded fittingly enough by second baseman Brandon Paritz, who caught a line drive off the bat of Michael Courtney. Paritz was named tournament Most Valuable Player after batting .467 with a double and five runs scored during the championship.
“Winning back-to-back titles just feels unbelievable,” Paritz said. “Everybody played hard and we took it one run at a time. If you play good defense, and your pitcher has a good game, that's all you need. It's my senior year, and it feels great. I couldn't ask for anything more.”
Paritz and shortstop Brian Bocock made numerous spectacular plays during the week to lead the defensive effort. The Hatters turned five double plays overall and took numerous base hits away from their opponents.
“Defense is kind of a hallmark of our club all year and we made some great plays,” Dunn said. “And those two guys in the middle are probably the best defensive combination in the nation. If people had not seen them before they certainly grew to appreciate them this weekend.”
Stetson exacted some revenge on ETSU, which swept the Hatters earlier this month in Johnson City, Tenn. Anthony Russell went 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles to lead the Buccaneers (31-27) on Saturday, while Steven Calicutt did not allow an earned run in five innings of relief.
“Give ETSU a lot of credit,” Dunn said. "They fought their way through the loser's bracket and gave us all we could handle. But our kids were up for it today. It's back-to-back titles, and that is outstanding.”
Paritz was joined on the all-tournament team by Shane Jordan, Chris Johnson, Robbie Elsemiller, and Romanowicz. Offensively the Hatters batted .315 in the tournament and outscored their opponents 20-13. Five different Hatters recorded multiple hits on Saturday.
Stetson becomes the first A-Sun team to repeat as conference champions since UCF in 2001 and 2002.
Box Score
Notes: Stetson last won back-to-back titles in 1988, 1989, and 1990 ... The Hatters have won seven consecutive A-Sun tournament games ... Stetson improved to 17-2 in its last 19 home games and finished the year 24-9 at home ... Chris Johnson reached base safely for the 45th straight game but Braedyn Pruitt had his hit streak end at 15 games ... Ryan Heacox threw Stetson's last nine-inning complete-game vs. Lipscomb on May 7, 2004.
