By Murray Gleffe, Correspondent

Photo taken by Steve Branscombe (CU)

OMAHA-Sam Crowley is the epitome of an athlete that has put in the hard work to be successful.

After playing for the Ashwaubenon Jaguars softball team from 2011-2014, Crowley arrived at Division 1 Creighton University in hopes of helping a softball program that had moderate success in the prior couple of seasons to her arriving on campus.

Sam Crowley donning the Ashwaubenon Jaguars softball uniform

In her initial season, she saw the field and the plate in minimal action scoring her first run against Western Michigan on Feb. 6, 2015. For the season, the team ended up a game above .500 (22-21).

As a sophomore, Crowley continued to get stronger and appeared in 33 of the 47 contests.

She scored an amazing seven times as a pinch runner showcasing her ‘gazelle like’ speed.

As an upper-classmen, despite the team struggling, Crowley continued to get more at bats and became a regular in the rotation.

She hit her first career home run against South Dakota during the final game of the season (April 27).

For the year, she was eighth in batting percentage at .218 with 19 hits and 11 RBI’s.

In addition to her achievement on the field, Crowley was named a 2017 CoSIDA Academic All-District VII First Team Outfielder for her work in the classroom.

Fast forward to year number four, and Crowley’s senior season.

The beginning of the 2018 campaign started in February and Crowley has been an absolute blistering force for a Bluejay’s program that currently sits at 16-12 overall and 4-2 in Big East competition.

The team’s latest streak includes winning five of their last seven games in which they tallied 38 runs.

Crowley has been a big part of the team’s recent success.

She is currently batting a team best .382 while appearing in 26 games.

She has 29 hits, 18 RBI’s, 17 runs, and has 5 home runs!

During recent conference wins over Butler and Providence, Crowley came up with keys hits at crucial times to propel the Bluejays to victory each time.

Her slugging percentage of .618 is among the nation’s best.

To any athletes currently in high school that think competing at a top university in sports is a ‘pipe dream’ think again.

Sam Crowley is living proof that it can be done!