FIU Athletics

2005: Sparked the Golden Panthers with strong play both defensively and at the plate...offensively, he finished second on the team in home runs (8), slugging percentage (.493) and stolen bases (15) and tied for second in multi-RBI games (11) and total bases (102)...was third in multi-hit games (21), walks (22), on-base percentage (.408) and RBIs (43), fourth in hitting (.329) and runs scored (41)...ended the season on a seven-game hitting streak...named to the 2005 Aéropostale Sun Belt Conference All-Tournament Team after hitting .467, including two doubles and three home runs while driving in nine in FIU’s three games...in the Golden Panthers’ first-round tournament game against Arkansas State (5/25), went 4-for-6 with six RBI, two runs scored, a double and two home runs in an 18-8 win...played third base in 51 of FIU’s 59 games...stole two bases against Florida A&M (1/29) and Chicago State (3/6) and recorded a season- and team-high three walks against Manhattan (3/19)...filled in as the starting catcher against New Orleans (4/1-4/3) after injuries to starting catchers Cody Jacobs and Danny Marquez...in 51 of his 55 games, reached base with either a hit or a walk.

Prior to FIU: Spent his first two seasons at Arizona State University...as a freshman in 2002, started the season primarily as a pinch-hitter before earning the starting nod in the final 16 games of the year with the Sun Devils...had a pair of multi-home run games in 2002 against New Mexico State (4/30) and USC (5/19)...hit .239 with six home runs, 28 RBI and scored 14 runs...in 2004, hit a career-best .260 with 20 hits including four doubles and three home runs...attended Apollo High School the same high school as New York Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca, where he broke Lo Duca’s school record for home runs in a career....hit 18 home runs, collected 45 RBI and hit .496 as a senior...selected in the 42nd round of the 2001 draft by the Kansas City Royals.

Personal: Born November 17, 1982...son of Jack and Candee Samora...sociology major...an accomplished jujitsu figher with rage in the cage.