Virginia Commonwealth University

SENIOR/2017

• He played in 25 games this season
• He averaged a 2.81 ERA
• He pitched 51.1 innings including 6.1 innings versus Longwood (3/21/17)
• He also had 57 strikeouts, seven of those coming from a game versus Longwood (3/31/17)
• He finished the season allowing 47 hits and 21 runs.

JUNIOR/2016

• Appeared in 30 games primarily as a closer.
• Led the nation in saves (20).
• Was top five on the team in strikeouts (53).
• Gave up two or fewer runs over 20 games, including 17 scoreless outings.
• Struck out seven in 3.2 innings en route to a save against George Washington in the Atlantic 10 Championship.
• Was a Stopper of the Year award finalist, named to ABCA/Rawlings All-East Region First Team and received All-Conference First Team honors.
• Also named to the prestigious NCBWA All-America Team as one of five relievers in the country to make the list.

PRIOR TO VCU:

• Helped lead Iowa Western to an NJCAA National Championship in 2014 and a fifth place finish in 2015
• Made 15 appearances last spring and was 3-0 with three saves, striking out 23 in 20 innings
• Amassed seven more saves in 15.2 innings during the 2015 summer in the NECBLA
• In High School, was a state semi-finalist his senior year (2013)
• Named Mahong Valley Pitcher of the Year (2013), Mahong Valley Diamond King (2012/2013), and Youngstown Class B Pitcher of the Year (2012).

PERSONAL:

• Son of Richard and Jill Donko
• Has a brother, Luke, and a sister, Anna
• Cousin, Peyton Aldridge, plays basketball at Davidson College (bio)
• Majoring in Psychology
• Donated his hair to "Locks of Love" his freshman year of college

"Sam has been a key figure in the bullpen of one of the top junior college programs in the country. He has won a national championship and has experience finishing games at a very high level. We look for big things from Sam here at VCU."