University of St. Thomas Athletics

2019 Softball Roster

Roster

P/1B
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF-OF
/ Softball
C/IF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF-OF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
P-OF
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
1B-OF
/ Softball
Util
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P-IF
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
P-2B
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P-IF
/ Softball
C/IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
C-IF
/ Softball
C-OF
/ Softball
P-IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
Action photo
Photo by: Roland Ferrie
Softball: St. Olaf College vs. University of St. Thomas2021 MIAC Softball Tournament
Photo by: Caleb Williams
Action photo
Sam Birling
Jersey Number 21

Sam Birling

  • Position:
    UT
  • Height:
    5-6
  • Class:
    Sophomore
  • High School:
    Fox Valley Lutheran
  • Hometown:
    Appleton, Wis.

Career Highlights:
2021: .371 batting average, played and started 40 games, 30 RBI, .552 SLG%, .425 OB%, 3-3 SB
2019: In 47 games Birling had 30 hits, 27 RBI, and a .280 BA.

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St. Thomas Softball Highlights: 

Last year our team participated in the NCAA D3 National Tournament in Tyler, Texas.

Why Did You Choose St. Thomas? 

I choose St. Thomas because when I visited campus it instantly felt like home. I liked how small the class sizes were and I genuinely felt that everyone at St. Thomas was invested in making it a place where students and athletes could succeed. 

 

Academic Major: 

Major: Psychology 

Minor: Exercise Science

 

Career Goal:  

I plan to become a Nurse Practitioner and focus on the fields of psychiatry and mental health. 

High School Highlights:

Academic Athlete all 4 years, First Team All-Conference in softball for 3 years, played in the Senior All-Star Games, I received the Red Smith Award,  and I was on the board for Student Council and the National Honors Society.

Career Highlights:

2021 all-conference OF, 3X Academic all-conference, career: 123 starts, 99 hits, 73 RBI, 36 runs, 41 walks, 24 doubles, four triples, six HRs, 2021: Helped 2021 team place fifth in national tournament, hit 12-for-29 in 11 postseason games, played in 2019 and 2021 College World Series

Fun Fact: 

My true passion is working with people that live with special needs. It is one of my favorite hobbies. I love it with all my heart. 

 

Parents: 

Dean and Shelly Birling 

  

Any Family Members Compete in College Sports? 

Mom played college softball at the University of Wisconsin Madison, 1988 and 1989.

Press Conference: Tommie Football Postgame v Lindenwood 08/28/25
Friday, August 29
Tommie Football Intro Video 2025
Thursday, August 28
Beyond The Buzzer: Schoenecker Arena Setup
Wednesday, July 23
Beyond The Buzzer: Sports Medicine
Wednesday, July 23