Sam Nomura quietly became one of Elon’s most trusted late-inning arms
In the 2026 season, Sam Nomura has given Elon a reliable right-handed bullpen presence with 26 strikeouts, a 2.68 ERA, and a top-3 staff mark in wins at 2-3 overall, while also ranking among the Phoenix’s leaders in appearances and late-game leverage. His value goes beyond the box score: Elon describes him as a primary holder and secondary closer, and he already owns a track record of closing big moments, including a shutdown outing against No. 8 Wake Forest and a strong rebound after missing early 2025 with injury. If you want a steady, experienced, strike-throwing reliever who can handle pressure, he fits the brief.
