Head coach Tim Corbin on Hliboki: “Sam has been a very steady presence and influence on our program. He is a selfless young man who is very invested in the group. He has gone through his share of adversity, having to sit out two years, rehabbing an arm injury. Having him back for his fifth year is a gift for our program. Sam loves the craft of pitching. He is self-directed and very motivated to get better. In his first year back in ’23, he served every imaginable role for our staff, logging the third most appearances. He will influence our staff in a very positive way this year.“
Student-Athlete Features
VUCommodores.com — Hliboki Looks to Continue Early Success
As a Fifth-Year (2024)
• Two scoreless innings vs. Tennessee Tech (April 30)
• Struck out eight consecutive batters over 4.0 innings vs. UT Martin (April 23)
As a Senior (2023)
• Went 5.1 innings vs. Xavier (June 4) in NCAA Tournament, allowing one run on four hits
• Tossed career-high 5.1 innings against Arkansas (May 18), striking out seven and allowing one earned
• Two scoreless innings of relief vs. Georgia (March 31)
• Threw three hitless innings to earn win vs. LMU (March 10)
• Honored as a National Player of the Week by Collegiate Baseball (March 6)
• Worked 3.2 innings in combined no-hitter at Minnesota (March 5), earning the win and striking out eight
As a Junior (2022)
• Did not make an appearance
As a Sophomore (2021)
• Made nine appearances on the season, including one start
• Totaled 20.0 innings, while earning two saves
• Season debut in opening game of double-header versus Wright State (Feb. 22); fanned two, walked two and allowed a hit in 2.0 innings of work
• Struck out a season-high of seven in the 5-4 win over Georgia State (Feb. 27)
• Fanned two batters in three consecutive appearances spanning March 6-16
As a Freshman (2020)
• Season canceled due to coronavirus outbreak
• Nation’s No. 35-ranked freshman pitcher (D1Baseball)
• Did not allow a run in 15.2 innings
• Permitted just two hits in 15.2 frames (five appearances)
• Held opponents to a .043 batting average
• Posted a 16-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio
• Allowed just one extra-base hit, coming in his first appearance
• Earned a team-best two saves
• Tossed five hitless relief innings at No. 6 UCLA (March 6)
The Hliboki File
• Prepped at Harvard-Westlake (Los Angeles, Calif.)
• 2019 Mission League Pitcher of the Year
• 2019 Daily News Pitcher of the Year
• 2019 California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section first-team honoree
• 2018 MaxPreps California large Schools All-State honoree
• 2018 Mission League Pitcher of the Year
• 2018 Daily News Pitcher of the Year
• Four-year varsity record of 23-3 and 13-1 mark in league play
• Went 9-1 with a 1.37 ERA and 0.78 WHIP in 72 innings as senior
• Helped team to California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section runner-up in 2016 and ‘19
• Full name is Samuel Walden Hliboki
• Son of Jim and Hildi
• Brother to Maddie
• Majoring in human and organizational development