Carthage pitcher Sam Schissel died on June 27 at his home in Somers, Wis., following a 10-day illness with flu or pneumonia-like symptoms. The left-handed pitcher, who would have celebrated his 19h birthday on June 28, sat out the 2009 season after transferring from the University of Minnesota in January 2009.

Schissel was named 2008 Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association first-team all-state and first-team All-Southeast Conference on a Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 1 state-championship team. He compiled an 8-0 record with a 1.88 earned run average in 15 appearances and eight starts. Schissel attended Park High School in Racine, Wis., his junior year and was named first-team all-conference with a 3-2 mark and a 1.33 ERA.

"Sam was a very talented pitcher, a great competitor, and we considered him a part of us," said Carthage coach Augie Schmidt IV. "For a kid who never played in the program, he touched a lot of people. He was a kid you couldn't help but like. We are shocked and real saddened. He had so much left to do."

"The Carthage athletic department and the baseball program are deeply saddened by this tragic news," said Carthage Director of Athletics Robert Bonn." "I first met Sam when he was working on his transfer from the University of Minnesota. He was so happy to be back in Kenosha and to be a part of the Carthage baseball team. He had a special relationship with Augie Schmidt and pitching coach Cory Everts and was really looking forward to pitching for the Red Men. Sam had amazing athletic talent, but I was struck by his outgoing and fun-loving personality. He made more friends in a month than most students do in their four years. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sam's family."