Georgia Southern University Athletics

SOPHOMORE (2013): Went 6-7 with a 5.55 ERA in 23 games... Made 11 starts... Struck out 87 batters and walked 35 in 84.1 innings pitched... Allowed only four home runs... Went 4-5 with a 6.48 ERA in 11 SoCon games... Made eight SoCon starts and struck out 49 batters in 50 innings pitched... Second on the team with 9.28 strikeouts per nine innings... Posted a 2.5 strikeout to walk ratio... Opened the season by allowing one unearned run and striking out seven over seven frames against Georgia (2/16)... Struck out eight and allowed just two runs over eight innings in the series opener against Wofford (3/8)... Allowed just two runs on seven hits and struck out nine in a 6.2 inning start against Furman (5/23) in the Southern Conference Tournament... Following the season participated in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League.

FRESHMAN (2012): Posted a 3-1 record with a 5.18 ERA in 12 appearances and three starts on the mound... Tossed 24.1 innings and struck out 22 batters... Tossed a season-high four innings twice at Kennesaw State (4/10) and Charleston Southern (5/2)... Struck out four batters twice at Charleston Southern (3/6) and against Charleston Southern (5/2)...  Made his Eagle debut against UT Martin (2/19) and pitched a scoreless inning in relief... Recorded his first career start against Mercer (2/28) and allowed five runs on five hits in three innings... Tossed 3.2 scoreless innings and record four punch outs at Charleston Southern (3/6)... Threw 12.3 innings without allowing an earned run over five games from (4/10-5/19).

PREP: Drafted by Chicago Cubs in the 48th round of the 2011 draft... Lettered twice on the varsity team for Cartersville High School in Cartersville, Ga... Played for head coach Stuart Chester... Selected to Team Georgia... Named a Northwest Georgia All-Star... Selected to 7-AAA All-Region First team and All-County team... Selected Co-Pitcher of the Year... Finished senior season with a 9-1 record and a 1.53 ERA in 59.1 innings... Struck out 87 batters and walked just 22... Selected as team MVP and best pitcher that season... Team won 6-AAA region in 2010 and 7-AAA region in 2011... Also lettered once in cross country.

PERSONAL: Born Sam James Howard on March 5, 1993 in Marietta, Ga... Brother, Jack, played golf at Air Force... Son of Tom and Beverly Howard... Enjoys hunting and fishing.

MAJOR: Construction Management.