Shelander is Austin Peay’s glove-first force with real pop
In the 2026 season, Sammie Shelander turned into one of the ASUN’s most complete two-way infielders, earning Defensive Player of the Year while ranking near the top of the league in home runs, slugging, on-base percentage, total bases, RBI and hits. She started all 52 games at first base and did it flawlessly defensively, a rare combination of durability, reliability and punch. Shelander’s edge is that she impacts games without needing perfect contact—she brings power, steady production and elite sure-handed defense, which makes her a very clean fit for a program that values consistency and toughness.
