Karpen, Samson, Skulina Named All-Mideast Region

Dan Skulina

Sean Karpen (Venetia, Pa. / Peters Twp.), Adam Samson (Orrville, Ohio / Orrville), and Dan Skulina (Hinckley, Ohio / Walsh Jesuit) of The College of Wooster were selected to the All-Mideast Region Team, announced the American Baseball Coaches’ Association Wednesday. Skulina was the first-team honoree at third base, while Karpen and Samson nabbed second-team recognition at first base and pitcher, respectively.

Skulina, a first-timer on the all-region team, actually split his playing time between third and first base due to off-season shoulder surgery. The senior successfully overcame that procedure at the plate, recording career highs in virtually every offensive category as he batted .364 with 36 runs scored, six home runs, and 43 RBI. Skulina also doubled 13 times, part of a .586 slugging percentage, and reached another 24 times via walks (18) and hit by pitches (6), resulting in an on-base percentage of .444.

For his career, Skulina was a two-time all-conference honoree (first-team in 2008 and honorable mention in 2007) while compiling a .337 average, 79 runs, 32 doubles, 12 homers, and 83 RBI in 118 games.

Karpen, the North Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year, spent time in left field, in addition to first base, en route to earning his first all-region nod. The speedy 6-1, 170-pounder was Wooster’s top offensive force throughout the spring, leading the team with a .417 batting average, 49 runs scored, 17 doubles, 47 RBI, and 25 stolen bases, as well as in slugging percentage (.646) and on-base percentage (.475). Karpen currently ranks 28th in NCAA Div. III in total hits (73) and he’s among the top-100 in batting average and steals (0.53 per game).

After missing his entire freshman season due to injury (2005), Karpen has one more year of eligibility remaining. He plans to use it and build on his career numbers of a .370 average, 112 runs, 27 doubles, 10 home runs, 87 RBI, and 61 stolen bases. Karpen’s already tied for seventh in school history in steals.

Samson, now a three-time member of the All-Mideast Region Team, having made first-team status last year and second-team in 2006, was the ace of the Scots’ pitching staff. The senior southpaw went 7-3 with a 2.79 ERA, but his record would have been better had it not been for two blown saves when he left the mound leading games and two tough-luck losses in the NCAA Div. III Tournament last week. Samson struck out 70, which puts him 56th in the most recent national statistics, over 77.1 innings, and also held the opposition to a .239 batting average and no home runs.

One of the Fighting Scots’ all-time greats, Samson closes out his career with a 28-7 record, 2.69 ERA, and 237 strikeouts over 264.2 innings pitched. His ERA is the lowest of any Wooster pitcher since 1982 and eighth-lowest overall, and he ranks tied for fifth in team history in wins, tied for third in strikeouts, fifth in innings, fourth in appearances (62), tied for second in games started (42), fifth in fewest hits allowed (7.41 per nine innings), and ninth in fewest walks allowed (2.69 per nine innings).

Wooster capped the 2008 campaign with a 36-11 overall record, an NCAC East Division title (14-2), and a third-place finish at the NCAA Mideast Regional.