Eastern Illinois University Athletics

2009: Samuels played in 38 games and started 27 times at first base… started 14 of the 18 OVC games… batted cleanup a team-high 21 times… one of four regulars that walked more than he struck out… hit three of his five homers and registered 17 of his 28 RBIs in conference play… batted .386 with runners in scoring position, including a 3-for-6 showing with the bases loaded… was 6-for-8 as a pinch hitter… recorded 18 of his 28 RBIs with two outs… batted .413 in true road games… went 10-for-19 with seven RBIs and no strikeouts in May… was 2-for-4 with a pinch hit single and a run scored at the OVC Tournament… hit safely in seven straight games in mid-April and the final seven games of the year that he played… also started the year red hot, going 7-for-10 with three extra-base hits, three walks and five runs scored in the first 10 games… registered a pinch hit single in each of his first two at-bats at EIU… enjoyed a big game in his first EIU start, going 3-for-4 with a homer, two walks and three runs scored in the blowout win against Milwaukee… hit a three-run homer and scored four times in the OVC opener at Morehead State… also hit a three-run shot and finished with four RBIs in the Indiana State win… hit safely in all three games of the UT Martin series, homering and scoring three times in the rubber game victory… enjoyed a big game in the nightcap of the doubleheader sweep at Southeast Missouri, coming through with a pair of run-scoring singles en route to a 3-for-4 showing… drove in four runs in the series-opening win against Eastern Kentucky, connecting for a two-run homer in his final at-bat.

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Samuels was an honorable mention NJCAA All-American and First Team All-Great Rivers Athletic Conference performer at Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Ill…. helped lead Lincoln Trail to 2007 conference and regional titles.

HIGH SCHOOL: He was a four-year letter-winner for coach Tim Huizen… earned all-state, all-region, all-district and all-conference honors… also played for the Nashville Navigators, Diamonds Baseball Club and SKRA Outlaws summer teams.

PERSONAL: No. 1 sports highlight was winning the regional title as a freshman at Lincoln Trail… his father has been a major influence on his sports career because "he always helped me get to the next level"… most admires New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter because "he’s a leader and a good role model for kids"… son of Joe Samuels and Holly Lawrence… MAJOR: Sociology.