By Annie Hynes
Samantha Romberger was not only a member of the winning team of the best softball game ever, but she was a star player. She blasted a RBI triple to tie the game and the very next time at bat with a fielder’s choice, tied the game at 4-4. This was a big win over Mardela as the Saints kept their perfect 15-0 regular season record. After winning the Bayside Championships this year, her coach, David Fisher was full of praise for the young softball player: “Eleven innings, over three-and-a-half-hour game and Sam hits a double to right center in the bottom of the 11th to drive in the winning run—and in her TV and newspaper interviews immediately after the game she put all of the praise and spotlight on her teammates and [said] how blessed she was to play with that group of girls. That to me says a lot about what a special young lady she is and I and her teammates know how fortunate we are to have her with us.” The win capped off a historic run for the Saints, including their first ever perfect regular season, their first Bayside North Title, and first ever Bayside Championship. When asked about her biggest accomplishment so far, Sam echoed the coaches sentiments by saying; “I would have to say my biggest highlight from my high school sports career doesn’t involve just me... It also involves my teammates and coaches. The biggest highlight, by far, has been the outcome of this year’s varsity softball team.”
To read about Sam and her accomplishments, you would never know that she is just a rising senior at the tiny St. Michaels High School. A phenomenal athlete and hard worker, Sam is loved and respected by all. Coaches, friends, and teachers all find her selfless fighting spirit inspirational. Brian Femi, Athletic Director of St. Michaels Saints said: “I can’t say enough good things about Samantha. She is a quality young lady who is a great student and role model in our school. Above all that, she is a phenomenal athlete. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Government Association, and is a member of the Prom Committee. I think the world of her and she is going to be successful in whatever endeavor she decides to pursue.”
Sam started her softball career at the tender age of five in St. Louis, Missouri, and she has played every year since. She is currently playing for the travel softball team Bayside Breeze, of which she has been a member for four years. She also plays field hockey, basketball, and swims. Most kids have a professional athlete they look up to or to try to exemplify, not Sam. She looks no further then her teammates for athletes to look up to; “I have been so thankful to be a part of teams that include such a great amount of amazing people. These athletes give their all to win and do their best, no matter if we are losing by 10 or winning by 10. They dedicate themselves to balancing out school work and their athletics, and I really respect that. They also all contribute to make the team feel like a family, and that’s what really matters in the end. These people mean a whole lot to me, and I will always keep them in my life.” Sam also credits her parents, “They motivate me to do my best everyday, work as hard as I can, and always give 110 percent. I’m very lucky to have the parents that I do.”
As for the future? Sam is hoping to attend the Unites States Naval Academy where she will study Chemistry. Her plans don’t stop there! She would like to graduate and attend medical school and become a heart surgeon. With a ranking of seventh in her junior class and a GPA of 3.8, she is on the path of making those dreams a reality.
