Northlake Christian School graduate Sam Scheibal takes his passion for sports and his athleticism to Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss., as he has signed his national letter of intent to play baseball for the Majors. Scheibal, a two-sport athlete for the Wolverines was also a starting forward on the basketball team.

“I’m really excited about my decision to attend Millsaps,” Scheibal said. “They have a really good baseball coaching staff. They want me to play the outfield. I’m looking forward to being able to contribute, hopefully right away. The college also offers very solid academics, which was also part of my decision to go there,” Scheibal added.

“I didn’t want to go too far away to attend college. I wanted to stay in this general area only about two or three hours away. I also like the fact that my teammate and friend Jason O’Rear has also decided to go there.”

Seated Northlake Christian School graduate Sam Scheibal signs his national letter of intent to attend Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss. Seated next to Scheibal are his mother Ellen and father Jeff. Standing from left, Wolverines'€™ athletic director Tony Agresta and Wolverines'€™ head baseball and football coach Rowland Skinner. (Staff Photo by Mike Pervel)

A couple of Scheibal’s former Wolverines’ teammates Jeremy Aliff and Chad Groover, are also playing for the Majors. Aliff plays on the baseball team, while Groover is a member of the football team.

Scheibal said he also considered attending UNO and Southeastern Louisiana University before deciding on Millsaps.

Scheibal, who was a four-year starter, helped lead his club to a 22-7 record as a senior. The Wolverines finished as the Class 1A state runner up after suffering a heartbreaking, 5-4, championship game loss to Ouachita Christian in eight innings.

He was selected as the District 7-1A MVP after hitting an amazing .647 in district play to lead his Wolverines.

He also posted team-highs with four home runs and 14 RBIs. He scored 10 runs helping lead the team to the district title with a 6-0 record.

NCS head baseball coach Rowland Skinner said it was a tremendous honor and a great experience watching Sam grow up as a player and individual. “Sam played in two state championship games. He is the only player at NCS that can say that. It was a great experience being able to coach him.

Millsaps is getting a tremendous hitter, and I’m sure he will do well at the college level.” Skinner said.

Skinner described Scheibal as a power hitter. “He has a good awareness of the strike zone, and is a very disciplined hitter. When he gets a hold of one, the ball really goes,” Skinner added.

Millsaps College head baseball coach Jim Page is entering his 20th season after leading the Majors to a 29-18 record last season.

Scheibal has played for the Louisiana Knights elite travel baseball team for the past two summers, starting in the outfield and also did some pitching. He helped lead the Knights 18s to a 39-13 record over the summer. He batted .277 with a .425 on base percentage. He had four doubles, one triple and one home run with 15 runs batted in, while scoring 18 runs. On the mound, he finished with a 1-1 record, posting a 1.53 earned run average, appearing in six games.

Scheibal said he faced stiff pitching, while a member of the Knights.

“Playing with the Knights has definitely helped prepare me to play college baseball. We faced stiffer pitching and tougher talent than during the high school season. Most of the travel teams we played featured some of the best players in the region,” Scheibal added.

Skinner said the Knights’ program gives players an excellent opportunity to face top-notch caliber players. “Sam has seen some great pitching. That should help ease the transition to college baseball,” Skinner added.

Scheibal, a starter on the basketball team, averaged 15.3 points per game as a senior, while hauling in 7.3 rebounds per contest. He said he would focus on playing just baseball in college.

Scheibal named St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols as his favorite major leaguer.

In addition to being an accomplished athlete, Scheibal also excelled in the classroom. He graduated as the NCS salutatorian with a 4.0 grade point average.

Scheibal said he wants to become either a mechanical or chemical engineer.

Sam is the son of Jeff and Ellen Scheibal of Mandeville.