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Crowder “Ghostrider” Matt Sample still has some baseball left in him. And he will get the opportunity to let it out.
The Arizona Diamondbacks picked Sample, most recently of Rogers State University, in the 28th round of last week’s Major League Baseball Draft.
Sample, who played for Crowder in 2008 and 2009, was the first Rogers State baseball player ever to be drafted.
Last season, Sample recorded 31 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings pitched. He also led Rogers State with four saves. In 2010, Sample sat the season out after undergoing Tommy John surgery to repair his elbow.
At Crowder in 2008, Sample came in as a hard throwing, if not a little unrefined, pitcher.
“Coming in he had a big time fastball,” Crowder baseball coach Travis Lallemand said. “His secondary pitches were unpolished. He threw enough strikes but not necessarily good strikes and he struggled a bit his freshman year.”
As a college freshman, Sample threw 46 innings and had an ERA over five en route to a 4-4 record. He also helped lead the Roughriders to a Region XVI title with 55 strikeouts and one save.
His second year was — better.
“He came back his sophomore year and he had a great work ethic,” Lallemand said. “He stepped up on and off the field and was a good leader for us. When he took the mound it was over that last year.”
The improved work ethic paid dividends. Sample improved his record as a sophomore to 6-2 and his ERA shrank to a miniscule 2.63. He fanned 59 batters in 51 innings pitched.
“His last 33 innings pitched were the most dominating 33 innings I’ve ever seen,” Lallemand recalled. “In those last 33 innings, four starts, he pitched three shutouts and a no-hitter. He only gave up nine hits in those last four starts.”
As a person, Lallemand says there are few players that deserve the opportunity more than Sample.
“I talk to him as much as any of my former players,” Lallemand said.
Obviously, Sample is ecstatic to be able to continue his baseball career.
“Being able to play at the next level means the world to me,” Sample said on the Rogers State athletics website. “I wouldn’t be where I am at today without all the great coaches in my life. Coach Bradley (Ron, of Rogers State), my junior college coach Travis Lallemand and my high school coach John E. King. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of my family and friends who have stood behind me.”
This isn’t the first time Sample was drafted. After his freshman campaign at Crowder, Sample was selected in the 49th round by the Texas Rangers. He decided to stay in school and improve his draft stock instead.
Mission accomplished.
Crowder “Ghostrider” Matt Sample still has some baseball left in him. And he will get the opportunity to let it out.
The Arizona Diamondbacks picked Sample, most recently of Rogers State University, in the 28th round of last week’s Major League Baseball Draft.
Sample, who played for Crowder in 2008 and 2009, was the first Rogers State baseball player ever to be drafted.
Last season, Sample recorded 31 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings pitched. He also led Rogers State with four saves. In 2010, Sample sat the season out after undergoing Tommy John surgery to repair his elbow.
At Crowder in 2008, Sample came in as a hard throwing, if not a little unrefined, pitcher.
“Coming in he had a big time fastball,” Crowder baseball coach Travis Lallemand said. “His secondary pitches were unpolished. He threw enough strikes but not necessarily good strikes and he struggled a bit his freshman year.”
As a college freshman, Sample threw 46 innings and had an ERA over five en route to a 4-4 record. He also helped lead the Roughriders to a Region XVI title with 55 strikeouts and one save.
His second year was — better.
“He came back his sophomore year and he had a great work ethic,” Lallemand said. “He stepped up on and off the field and was a good leader for us. When he took the mound it was over that last year.”
The improved work ethic paid dividends. Sample improved his record as a sophomore to 6-2 and his ERA shrank to a miniscule 2.63. He fanned 59 batters in 51 innings pitched.
“His last 33 innings pitched were the most dominating 33 innings I’ve ever seen,” Lallemand recalled. “In those last 33 innings, four starts, he pitched three shutouts and a no-hitter. He only gave up nine hits in those last four starts.”
As a person, Lallemand says there are few players that deserve the opportunity more than Sample.
“I talk to him as much as any of my former players,” Lallemand said.
Obviously, Sample is ecstatic to be able to continue his baseball career.
“Being able to play at the next level means the world to me,” Sample said on the Rogers State athletics website. “I wouldn’t be where I am at today without all the great coaches in my life. Coach Bradley (Ron, of Rogers State), my junior college coach Travis Lallemand and my high school coach John E. King. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of my family and friends who have stood behind me.”
This isn’t the first time Sample was drafted. After his freshman campaign at Crowder, Sample was selected in the 49th round by the Texas Rangers. He decided to stay in school and improve his draft stock instead.
Mission accomplished.
