SAN DIEGO -- GoAztecs is launching a new series catching up with former Aztec greats. Next up is former softball player Erica Romero (2014-17).
Romero joined the program in 2014 and immediately became a key cog in SDSU's pitching staff. The right-hander finished her career ranked second in program history in appearances (157) and games started (103), third in wins (67), fourth in win percentage (.657) and innings pitched (659.0), tied for fifth in saves (6), sixth in strikeouts (397) and tied for ninth in solo shutouts (since 1999) (8).
Romero's best season was 2015 as a sophomore when she was a first-team NFCA All-West Region selection and a first-team all-Mountain West pick. On the year, Romero was 36-17 with a 3.29 ERA over 318 2/3 innings, appearing in an incredible 56 of the team's 58 games. She led the country in wins, appearances and innings pitched, and set school single-season records in wins, appearances, games started and innings pitched. Romero, who also had 28 complete games and five shutouts, was in on San Diego State's final 38 pitching decisions of 2015, throwing 953 straight pitches before finally being relieved against UCLA in the 2015 NCAA Los Angeles Regional final.
For her career, Romero was a six-time Mountain West Pitcher of the Week, including four times in 2015, and once apiece in 2016 and 2017.
Following her collegiate career, Romero became a police officer in San Diego and is engaged to be married. Recently, Romero was featured in video released by the San Diego Police Department regarding the rescue of two children at Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach.
GoAztecs.com: One of the last times you were around the Fowler Athletics Center was 2017 when the softball team found out it was left out of the NCAA tournament, despite going 31-18 and finishing second in the sixth-best league in the country (out of 32; based on RPI). How long did it take for you to get over that disappointment and move on to the next chapter in your life?
Erica Romero: It took at least six months because I was so focused in my last year of softball that I didn't know what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I was doing little jobs here and there, not working toward a career per say. It took me at least a half year to say, 'Well, I'm not a softball player anymore and what is the next step?'
GoAztecs.com: Graduating with a degree in criminal justice, is being a police officer something you always wanted to do?
Romero: It was a thought in my mind, but it wasn't set in stone that is exactly what I wanted to do. I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue with school and become a lawyer or what avenue I wanted to actually take with criminal justice. I'm glad I chose this career path though.
GoAztecs.com: What is the best part about being a police officer?
Romero: There are so many good things about my job. We're there for people on their worst days. Not only is it putting the bad guys away, but being there for the victims is a huge part. Some people don't have anyone. I've held babies and people have hugged me - they don't even care. Sometimes they just need somebody to be with. Not only do we take people to jail, we talk to people on their worst days.
GoAztecs.com: What is the hardest part about being a police officer?
Romero: I would say taking home some of the stuff that happened over that night or even the last week. I try to distance myself and not take work things personally, but it's tough. It's hard to go home and just be home. It usually takes me a few hours to feel comfortable, just being home with my family and not thinking about work.
GoAztecs.com: Looking at the culture lately, have you noticed a change in how people treat you as a police officer?
Romero: It hasn't been drastic, but I have. I've also noticed a lot of good things. People have told us lately how much they appreciate us. It's been eye-opening and makes me want to go to work even more knowing that people appreciate what we are doing.
GoAztecs.com: Being one of the leaders when you played at San Diego State, how have your taken those qualities into your job now as a police officer?
Romero: Just like a softball team, you have your team leaders and your coaches. I think each (police) squad is like that. You have to have a squad of leaders. I wasn't much of a vocal leader when I played softball, but I think I led by example. (Leadership) played a big part. You have to make your own decisions and sometimes you have to make decisions for your whole squad. Being able to step up and make a decision for your squad sometimes is everything. Going back to softball, (the coaching staff) put me in a position where I had to make decisions for the whole team. Sometimes even making decisions for the coaches when they ask for my input. Being a leader in softball played a big part in my career now.
GoAztecs.com: Do you stay in contact with members of the softball program and former teammates?
Romero: I do. (Assistant) coach Mia Longfellow lives maybe five minutes away from me right now. I see her often and her family. Also (Tory) Victoria Kobold, Jacki Campa, Lorena Bauer and Hayley Miles to name a few. I still talk to my former teammates. We still keep in touch.
Where Are They Now? Erica Romero
