Last summer (2023), I reached out to Norfolk State University’s Justin Journette about his involvement in the 2023 HBCU Swingman Classic. It was my first contact with the HBCU Player of the Year (by Black College Nines) and second team all conference NEC selection. I was so impressed by his answers and character and excitement for baseball, and his excitement for the 2025 Norfolk State University Baseball season. We chatted via email a few times last year and I made it a point to circle back with Justin in 2025 for a preview of the NSU Spartans 2025 season.

After returning from Tampa last weekend, I heard back from Justin via email. And an added bonus, through Justin, I received a detailed preview of the 2025 Norfolk State University Spartan roster from NSU Head Coach, Keith Shumate. Here is HC Shumate’s preview of the team, by position, like only a Head Coach can do…

“The outfield should be the strength of the 2025 Spartan Baseball Team. Returning to play LF will be sophomore Jalan Jones who slashed .318 / .390 / .490 as a freshman. Right field returner will be Justin Journette who was HBCU Player of the Year by Black College Nines and a second team all conference NEC selection. Fifth year senior Jamal Ritter will bring stellar defense to centerfield as he returns from a year where his slash line was .275 / .376 / .497 with a team
leading 33 stolen bases.

Returning senior catcher Brendan Burke will be a main stay behind the plate. Burke (.227 / .291 / .386) threw out a whopping 52% of base stealers in 2024. He will be backed up by senior Rob Beatty, and newcomers junior Brayden Daulton and freshman Ryan Hoeft.

The infield will be anchored by newcomer shortstop Jaydan Israel, a junior from Mesa Community College in Arizona. The Fall’s most improved player is sophomore returner Kydese Queen who will start at third base. Terrence Rhodes will play second base. First base and designated hitter candidates will include fifth year senior Emmett Jefferson, juniors Collin Curry and Cam Mazell, as well as freshmen Ryan Hoeft, Myles Crocker and Christian Velez.

Sophomore Ethan Blakeney, who had a 5.89 ERA, will likely play a prominent role on the pitching staff. Bring needed experience to the staff will be returners sophomore Parker Hampton, and junior Liam Royster, Mac Yarbrough, and Donovan Whitfield. Newcomers to the pitching staff that should contribute immediately includes Nate Varnier, Walker Fuller, Tyler Mitchell, Reid Driskill, Ryan Sellers and CJ Patterson. Left handers that give the staff balance are Landen Campbell and two-way players Myles Crocker and Christian Velez. Yasseel Samboy is a right hander who will also provide infield depth as well as pitch for the Spartans.”

And Justin added, “I am ready for this upcoming baseball season after I am coming off a good winter workout. Overall the team has a good dynamic this year and I feel we will go far into the playoffs. I am looking forward to our season opener weekend which will be at Marty L Miller Field on February 14th . See you there!”

Huge thanks to NSU Head Coach Keith Shumate and of course NSU Baseball star Justin Journette for the amazing preview of the 2025 Spartan Baseball season. The Norfolk State University Spartans baseball season begins, as Justin mentioned, on Friday February 14th at home vs. Mount St. Mary’s. The Spartans play their home games at the amazing Marty L. Miller Field right there on the campus of Norfolk State. For more information on the team, schedule, news, roster, and everything else NSU Spartans baseball, head over to their baseball page – https://nsuspartans.com/sports/baseball.