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Sampson, Mitchell Lead WIU

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

Mitchel Sampson, Nick Mitchell earn Summit League Honors

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.- The Summit League announced their 2023 baseball pitcher and player to watch on Wednesday (Feb. 15). Mitchel Sampson was named pitcher to watch, with Nick Mitchell being named player. 

Sampson transfers to WIU after playing his last two seasons at Heartland Community College. At Heartland, Sampson tallied 76 strikeouts in 54 innings pitched. Moving from a starter/reliever role to a closer role in his sophomore season Sampson dealt a 1.57 ERA in 28.2 innings pitched with a 2-0 record. 

"Mitchel is a guy we are excited to bring to our staff not just from a performance standpoint but an intangible standpoint," said Interim Head Coach Tayler Sheriff. "He is a guy who can set the tone and take the ball every Friday."

Nick Mitchell earned more Summit League honors. Mitchell, who earned recognition on the Summit League All-Freshman Team and the All-Conference Second Team, hit .342 as a freshman. The Carmel, Indiana native led Western Illinois in OPS (.792), runs (28), triples (2), and stolen bases (30) last season. Mitchell kept the offensive numbers going throughout the summer. Playing for the Fon Du Lac Dock Spiders in the North Woods League, Mitchell set records in games played (59), at-bats (239), runs (76), hits (89), triples (8), and walks (39). He also placed in the top five in doubles (13, 3rd), batting average (.372, 4th), and stolen bases (16,5th)

"Nick is a great kid. He works hard," Coach Sheriff said, "he had another great fall, had a great winter and he is doing a great job at being a spark plug and leading by example."

The Summit League also announced the Summit League Preseason Poll. The Leathernecks were picked to 7th with seven points right behind Northern Colorado and St. Thomas.

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