Western Illinois University Athletics

In Van Vlymen’s Words
“Samantha proved to be one of our top hitters last season and has continued to grow throughout the fall. She was voted a team captain by her teammates and shows great maturity by always putting the team first.”

At Western Illinois
2008 (senior season): Named Summit League Tournament Co-MVP...earned first-team all-conference honors...led the conference in batting with a .436 conference batting average and a .410 overall average...recorded 59 hits with 14 doubles, five home runs, 26 runs scored and 31 RBI to rank second in the conference with a .611 slugging percentage...led The Summit League with a .488 on base percentage...maintained a .986 fielding percentage with 328 putouts, 12 assists and five errors at first base.

2007 (junior season): A first-team all-conference selection...recorded 43 hits in 129 at bats for a .333 batting average with ten doubles, five home runs and 27 RBIs...led the Westerwinds with a .527 slugging percentage, a .419 on-base percentage, 20 runs scored, 18 walks, and 68 total bases...batted in the cleanup spot 25 times...led her team with 324 putouts and fielded nine double plays... recorded a .982 fielding percentage ...started 44 of 45 games played at first base.

2006 (sophomore season): Did not play due to shoulder injury.

2005 (freshman season): Saw action in 20 games...hit .083 in 12 at bats with one hit and three runs...recorded 18 assists.

High School
Was a four-year letterwinner...named as the Chicago Tribune All-State Honorable Mention and Illinois Coaches Association All-State Third Team honoree after hitting .547 with five home runs and 17 stolen bases her senior year...three-year first-team all-conference selection...three-time team MVP and two-year captain...played on Illinois McDonald’s/Mitsubishi All Star Hawaii Team.

Personal
Born on May 2, 1986...daughter of Chris and Julie Valentine...earned a bachelors degree in early childhood education in December 2008... nickname is Sammy V.

Year       Avg   GP-GS     AB    R    H   2B   3B   HR  RBI   BB   SO   SB-ATT
2005....  .083   20-0      12    3    1    0    0    0    0    1    3    0-0
2007....  .333   45-44    129   20   43   10    0    5   27   18   31    1-2
2008....  .410   48-48    144   26   59   14    0    5   31   18   18    2-2
TOTAL...  .361  113-92    285   49  103   24    0   10   58   37   52    3-4