Area’s finest
Eimers to be inducted into Mercyhurst Hall of Fame
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ERIE, Pa. -- One of the finest female athletes in Chautauqua County history will be recognized for her talents later this year when she is inducted into the Mercyhurst University Athletics Hall of Fame.
Ripley native Sam Eimers (Bailey) will join six other former student-athletes and one team during induction ceremonies on June 10 as part of Reunion Weekend festivities.
"We look forward to honoring a new slate of distinguished alumni and Hall of Fame honorees every year," said Lindsay Frank, Mercyhurst advancement director, in a press release. "This year's group is nothing short of spectacular. They have all made important contributions but, most of all, they have made Mercyhurst proud."
Eimers, a softball player who graduated in 2012, certainly belongs with the Lakers' all-time greats.
As a senior, she led Mercyhurst in 12 different offensive categories, including batting average (.451), at-bats (164), runs scored (53), hits (74), doubles (14), home runs (10), total bases (120), slugging percentage (.732), walks (28), hit by pitch (five), on-base percentage (.540) and stolen bases (24).
Chosen Daktronics Second-Team All-American, Eimers was also a Capital One Academic All-America Second-Team selection; a Daktronics All-Atlantic Region First-Team member; an All-All-PSAC First-Team selection; and an NFCA All-Atlantic Region First-Team honoree. As a junior, Eimers led the PSAC in total bases (107), runs scored (42) and slugging percentage (.836).
Joining Eimers in the 2023 Hall-of-Fame class are the 2009 women's rowing team; Christine Bestland (Class of 2014), hockey; Willie Bohince (Class of 2017), wrestling; Trevor Kennedy (Class of 2013), football; Luis Leao (Class of 2013), basketball; Jenna Matson (Class of 2009), volleyball; and Ben Bawding (Class of 2014), baseball.
Before arriving at Mercyhurst, Eimers played two NJCAA seasons at Mercyhurst North East where her accomplishments were just as impressive. In her sophomore season, she finished seventh in NJCAA Division II with a .507 average; eighth in home runs with 18; eighth in RBIs with 78; and fifth in on-base percentage at .571. As a freshman at MNE, Eimers was seventh in the country in batting average (.507) and 38th in RBIs (53).
At Ripley Central School, Eimers was a multi-sport star, capped by her being named The Post-Journal co-Player of the Year in basketball and The Post-Journal Player of the Year in softball.
"I can just go on and on about what she has meant to this team," said Mike Torrance, Ripley's coach in 2008. "There are nine players on the team, but what she does is unbelievable. The things she does, no other girls can do, and she does things guys can't do.
"She's the greatest thing to ever come out of here. I know a lot of good kids, but there is not a girl that can match up to her, not at all."