Staerker’s 2026 glow-up: Canisius’s late-inning strikeout weapon
In the 2026 season, Sam Staerker became Canisius’s trusted right-handed relief ace, finishing with a 4.85 ERA, 2-1 record, and 35 strikeouts in 29.2 innings while piling up saves and high-leverage outs. His calling card is attack-mode stuff: he punched out five in a three-inning, hitless outing against Towson, later delivered a five-inning, seven-strikeout rescue in MAAC play, and even closed games without blinking. The fit? A competitive, tough, late-game arm with real swing-and-miss value.
