Wednesday, March 25
Denton, TX
6 p.m.
Abilene Christian
at
North Texas
Photo by: Aly Bayliss
Romero Looks to Keep Bat Hot at UNT Wednesday
3/24/2026 2:40:00 PM | Softball
In her fourth year of college softball, and her second school, senior Emalee Romero is confident that Abilene Christian is her home.
"It's definitely where I was meant to be," she said. "I love it here. I'm glad that God brought me here. It's truly a blessing to be at ACU."
That gratitude comes from experience. Romero spent her first two years at Division II Northwest Nazarene in Nampa, Idaho. Although the path wasn't always easy, the move to Abilene gave her a fresh start and a place to grow — on the field and off.
"I didn't have the best first two years," Romero said. "Taking the leap and entering the transfer portal and then [head coach Jo] Koons bringing me on this team is just something I've worked hard for. I'm super blessed to even get the opportunity to be here."
Romero embraced Abilene, too — the people, the campus, and the community.
"I love the culture at the school," she said. "Everyone's nice and welcoming, teachers as well. Everyone says hi to you no matter what. It's awesome. Abilene in general — it's a great city to be in."
Finding Her Swing
Romero, who plays second and third base for the Wildcats, has found her swing as of late. She went 6-for-12 and scored three runs in ACU's conference-opening series against UT Arlington this past weekend. For Romero, the recent surge at the plate is the result of something simple: trust.
"I would just say trusting all the work I put in," Romero said. "Also just not thinking in the box, just trusting my swing, trusting I'll get there, just looking for a pitch to hit."
The process has paid off. Over her last 10 games, Romero is hitting .345 and has become one of the most consistent bats in the lineup. The Wildcats will look to keep that momentum rolling Wednesday night when they travel to Denton to face North Texas, a team they've already seen twice this season.
Romero's confidence is easy to spot — so is the joy she plays with. As the Wildcats' offense found its rhythm, she found hers.
"It felt awesome," she said of the team's offensive outburst. "I know how hard this team works every day, how much hitting we've been doing as well, and it finally just caught up to us. We're working really hard, our work's finally showing out there on the field. I'm really proud of us."
Head coach Jo Koons has talked often about patience, reminding her team that the results would come. That message has stuck with Romero.
"She's awesome," Romero said. "She tells us to just trust it, trust the process. That's always said, and I really think that's clicking with this team. We're all trusting what we've done, trusting the process we've gone through. I think it's going to be a great season."
Next Up: North Texas
Wednesday's game at UNT is a familiar matchup. The teams faced each other twice in February during a tournament in Lubbock, and Romero expects another competitive night.
"I would just say we have nothing to lose," she said. "Let's go out there, have fun again. Trust the process. No matter what happens out there, I hope everyone's smiling, having a good time."
The Wildcats and Mean Green square off at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
There's plenty to look forward to beyond softball, too. Romero, a criminal justice major, is set to graduate in May.
For now, though, she's locked in on the next pitch, the next at-bat, and the next chance to help her team win. And as long as she keeps trusting her swing, good things tend to follow.
"It's definitely where I was meant to be," she said. "I love it here. I'm glad that God brought me here. It's truly a blessing to be at ACU."
That gratitude comes from experience. Romero spent her first two years at Division II Northwest Nazarene in Nampa, Idaho. Although the path wasn't always easy, the move to Abilene gave her a fresh start and a place to grow — on the field and off.
"I didn't have the best first two years," Romero said. "Taking the leap and entering the transfer portal and then [head coach Jo] Koons bringing me on this team is just something I've worked hard for. I'm super blessed to even get the opportunity to be here."
Romero embraced Abilene, too — the people, the campus, and the community.
"I love the culture at the school," she said. "Everyone's nice and welcoming, teachers as well. Everyone says hi to you no matter what. It's awesome. Abilene in general — it's a great city to be in."
Finding Her Swing
Romero, who plays second and third base for the Wildcats, has found her swing as of late. She went 6-for-12 and scored three runs in ACU's conference-opening series against UT Arlington this past weekend. For Romero, the recent surge at the plate is the result of something simple: trust.
"I would just say trusting all the work I put in," Romero said. "Also just not thinking in the box, just trusting my swing, trusting I'll get there, just looking for a pitch to hit."
The process has paid off. Over her last 10 games, Romero is hitting .345 and has become one of the most consistent bats in the lineup. The Wildcats will look to keep that momentum rolling Wednesday night when they travel to Denton to face North Texas, a team they've already seen twice this season.
Romero's confidence is easy to spot — so is the joy she plays with. As the Wildcats' offense found its rhythm, she found hers.
"It felt awesome," she said of the team's offensive outburst. "I know how hard this team works every day, how much hitting we've been doing as well, and it finally just caught up to us. We're working really hard, our work's finally showing out there on the field. I'm really proud of us."
Head coach Jo Koons has talked often about patience, reminding her team that the results would come. That message has stuck with Romero.
"She's awesome," Romero said. "She tells us to just trust it, trust the process. That's always said, and I really think that's clicking with this team. We're all trusting what we've done, trusting the process we've gone through. I think it's going to be a great season."
Next Up: North Texas
Wednesday's game at UNT is a familiar matchup. The teams faced each other twice in February during a tournament in Lubbock, and Romero expects another competitive night.
"I would just say we have nothing to lose," she said. "Let's go out there, have fun again. Trust the process. No matter what happens out there, I hope everyone's smiling, having a good time."
The Wildcats and Mean Green square off at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
There's plenty to look forward to beyond softball, too. Romero, a criminal justice major, is set to graduate in May.
For now, though, she's locked in on the next pitch, the next at-bat, and the next chance to help her team win. And as long as she keeps trusting her swing, good things tend to follow.
Players Mentioned
INF
/ SoftballACU Women's Basketball: Florida International Postgame | March 24, 2026
Wednesday, March 25
ACU Softball: Jo Koons Press Conference | March 23, 2026
Monday, March 23
ACU Women's Basketball: Julie Goodenough Press Conference | March 23, 2026
Monday, March 23
ACU Women's Basketball: WNIT Preview Presser | March 17, 2026
Tuesday, March 17
