To remind himself of one of the missions, Roemer on the inside lid of his
baseball cap wrote two words in big, bold letters: "FAH" and "DO WORK."
"I really can't repeat what it says because the first word is kind of vulgar,
but something all hitters," Roemer, showing the words on his cap, said. "'Do
Work' just kind of states it, go out and do your best."
Roemer, last year's Collegiate Baseball's Co-National Player of the year and
Big West Conference pitcher of the year, uses the inscription to motivate
himself - in return the Titans use Roemer to motivate themselves. It's a formula
CSUF could use all the way to Omaha.
Titans Head Coach George Horton had been prepping fans for the worst in the
month leading up to the season opener. But what Horton neglected to point out
was that their team still had Roemer. And that could be enough to get back to
Omaha - it was enough, at least, last Friday to convincingly beat Stanford 11-5
in the season opener at Goodwin Field.
Roemer, showing no effect of a broken pinky finger that sidelined him during
the fall, displaying his trademark fastball, slider and fiery personality.
"The guy is on the mound doing good, making our job a lot easier on the
infield. We're just sitting there and it just pumps us up," said Titans second
baseman Joel Weeks. "There is no holding back, there is no hesitation. He just
goes right at them and takes charge of the mound."
Roemer wasn't perfect but gave up five hits (four in the fifth) and only
walked one on his way to eight strikeouts in six innings pitched.
As he goes so do the Titans. It's a lot of pressure to put on one player, let
alone a pitcher, but if anyone has the make up to handle it's the junior from
Glendora.