Conversations with Sammy:
Your academic majors are Data Science and Economics. How do they fit together?
Data is everywhere. Learning new ways to look at and understand data helps me look at economics from different perspectives and identify new patterns or explain how and why things work. Data science tools can really be applied to anything, so I think it pairs well with economics.
Please tell us what Data Science does.
It allows you to identify patterns and trends, look at things from different perspectives, come up with new ideas to better understand something, and find ways to improve things.
Which courses have you enjoyed in your first three years on campus? What made them enjoyable?
I really enjoyed Freakonomics and Econometrics because the professors were very passionate about the subject and challenged the students to participate, which really helped me learn the content. They were challenging classes, but the professors wanted to make sure each student was truly understanding the material. They pushed me to think in new ways, and I had great experiences and took a lot away from both classes.
Did you intern anywhere over the last two summers? What did you do?
I interned this past summer for Cooper Farms as a part of the Strategic Improvement team, where I took on several projects, including identifying and measuring egg loss and building an Audit App.
This is an exciting summer in Chicago with both the Cubs and the White Sox battling for division titles. Do you have a rooting interest for one or the other?
Definitely the Cubs. Hopefully by the time this is printed, they will have caught up to the Brewers for the division lead!
What's the most challenging part of playing shortstop?
Probably keeping your hands warm when you're standing out there in 30-degree weather in early March. It is a lot tougher to make a play when you can hardly feel your fingertips.
When URochester is in the field, are you directing the defense?
Everyone is usually set and ready to make a play. If not, I'll let them know. My focus is mainly on making a play myself and knowing where to be in different situations. Sometimes, with runners on base, I will call pick plays.
Were you a shortstop when you played at St. Ignatius?
I played some shortstop, but mainly second base. The shortstop was a classmate of mine and is also a college baseball player at Butler. He is a close friend of mine and is my training buddy when we are both back home during breaks.
Where did you play summer ball since you have been a URochester student?
I played in New York in the PGCBL after my freshman year and in Ohio in the GLSCL after my sophomore year.
How did you become involved with the University?
I attended a few baseball camps after my junior year of high school, and Coach Reina reached out. I visited soon after with my dad and immediately knew it was the place I wanted to be.
