Sam Bordner, RHP, Bloom Carroll HS, Class of 2015

PBR: Why did you choose Louisville?

Bordner: Louisville has been my dream school ever since I visited last fall to watch a fall scrimmage game and met Coach Lemonis to tour the baseball facility.  I love the coaches there and Coach Williams is very notorious for developing top notch pitchers. I love how Coach McDonnell coaches his team and all his philosophies.  I also was able to meet a few of the players when I visited this past week and they made me feel really comfortable with the Louisville culture.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Bordner: Michigan, WVU, University of Kentucky, and Kent State University  

PBR:  Where did Louisville first see you compete?

Bordner: at Prasco Park during the PBR Top Prospect games and later that same week at Transylvania University.  

PBR: You are only a Junior, how important was it to make you college decision so early?  Are you finished with the recruiting process?

Bordner: Yes, I am finished with the college recruiting process, it all just started so early for me and it caught me off guard. I found it important to me so that I could find the right school for me and focus on that school at that particular time.  Now that I have found that school I can focus on my high school athletics, my academics, and my off season work. 

 

PBR: This fall you participated in Florida in some high profile tournaments, which helped your stock rise immediately.  How did your recruiting process change after your performances down south.

Bordner: The trips to Florida muddied the water with quite a few schools, some big name baseball schools, contacting me after both tournaments. As soon as I thought I had everything figured out, things just started to speed back up after those tournaments.  It was tough to decide not to pursue most of the new schools that came into the picture. 

PBR: Last year, you transferred high schools and due to OHSAA rules you had to sit out the entire year in all  3 sports.  How difficult was it to sit and watch from the sidelines and were you concerned about it hindering your recruitment at the time?

Bordner: it was very difficult just sitting and watching everything. I had to sit and watch my high school baseball team lose in the state final game by 1 run in the bottom of the 7th inning, which had to be the hardest of them all.  Honestly I wasn't concerned at all, I transferred my sophomore year because I felt it was more important to have full eligibility my junior year.

 

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?

Bordner: My father had a huge impact. he was always there for me, he went to every single one of my visits, helped me through some of my phone calls, and pushed me to do things that I didn't want to do at the time but helped me to be the person I am now.  

PBR:  Who do you play for in the summer and what is your favorite memorable moment?

Bordner: I played with the Ohio Elite for Coach Dave Lee and Coach Chris Valentine. Its honestly hard to pick my most memorable moment with my team. We have created so many memories with not only our on field experience but our off the field experiences as well.

 

PBR:  Who is the best hitter that you have ever faced?

Bordner: Has to be Evan White. I've pitched against him numerous times and I think he is the only person I haven't gotten out. I remember him hitting a triple off me during a game at Ohio State.