A 5’10” LEFT-HANDED PITCHER

By Sierra Baumgartner

At only two years old, Sam Conklin could be found with a baseball in his hand. Almost immediately, he fell in love with the game. Starting with little league teams, eventually moving up to his high school team—the Generals, being involved in a men’s league in college as a Tiffin Gray. With countless hours of practice, he has played his heart out. Now almost twenty years later, Sam is finishing his final year on the Wright State Lakers baseball team as a left-handed pitcher.

As the only senior on the team, Sam has had a great influence on his younger teammates. When it comes to leadership, he always uplifts others. He notes: “You’re really affecting guys however you lead them, so I try to do things positively. I get on them when I need to, but I do things all positively and all things that will help them in the years to come.” Because he has played baseball for so many years, Sam has gained much wisdom throughout his athletic career. But to put it into one phrase, he advises his teammates to take every chance they can get to work on their craft.

Not only has Sam perfected his craft of pitching, but he has also learned some lessons through baseball that carry over into other aspects of his life. Sam remembers that his high school baseball coach Mark Nell—who was just inducted into the OHSAA Hall of Fame at the beginning of 2023—taught him about working hard to reach goals, which is something that he has implemented into his life and works hard no matter what he is doing.

This work ethic is very evident when you see all of Sam’s accomplishments, baseball aside. He has obtained two associate degrees in Earth and Environmental Sciences, an associate degree in Chemistry, has a job in the athletic office, and is currently in the Integrated Science Studies program with a focus on Earth and Biological Studies. After graduation in the spring, he plans on doing a grad transfer and completing a master’s degree in Meteorology. Sam currently has a 3.9 cumulative GPA, and is a two-time USCAA Academic All-American. Sam always keeps busy between balancing baseball, a job, and schoolwork, but he works hard at any task he puts his hand to. Another piece of advice he has for his younger teammates is to put school first. He wants to encourage them to not be afraid to ask for help, and to always be proactive with assignments so that they can focus on baseball.

Behind every athlete is their support system, through the highs and lows. Cheering him on in every pitch and every hit from the time he started loving baseball to now are his sister and his grandmothers, who have supported him in all his endeavors. Sam’s roommates are also always there to encourage him, and, as a Wright State Laker, he has had some supportive teammates, specifically the two juniors on the team—Hayden Bill and Nick Hundley. Sam added that athletic director Angie Clayton has been a big advocate for him as well, and that she has always been helpful and supportive of him. These people have always been there for Sam when he needed them.

Whether it is a pre-game prayer, going on road trips, going to church together, or even just running errands,

Sam was able to experience so many special memories with his team. Some of his fondest memories were made on the road when they were traveling to away games. “Playing mafia on the bus, rooming with the guys, and just being around each other and having that team camaraderie is one of the coolest things,” he reminisces. Sam has also been able to play against old teammates a few times, which he said was a lot of fun. He is even lucky enough to once again play with one of his high school teammates, Logan Garrett, who is now a sophomore at Wright State and a catcher for the Lakers—another memory Sam cherishes. Baseball has helped form these special relationships and memories for Sam that he will forever treasure.

Over the years Sam has been a leader, learned lessons in baseball and in life, and has created countless memories. Senior Sam Conklin loves his team, and is excited to see what the future holds for his final season as a Laker. If you would like to follow Sam and the rest of the Laker team this season, you can visit wsulclakers.com to find the game schedule, or follow them on twitter and Instagram: @wsulc_baseball.