NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State baseball coach Claudell Clark announced on Thursday the addition of three more players who will complete his 2009 recruiting class: junior-college transfers John Rasberry (Suffolk, Va./Delaware Tech) and Blaze Zeilman (St. Augustine, Fla./Ulster County CC) and high school standout Jordan Egan (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial HS).
Rasberry (6-0, 185) was a two-time All-Region 19 outfielder at Delaware Tech. He batted .271 with 10 doubles, 18 stolen bases and 31 RBI as a sophomore, making second-team all-region. That followed a freshman season during which he batted .365 with five home runs, 12 steals and 27 RBI, earning first-team all-region honors.
Rasberry was a first-team all-conference and all-state independent schools selection as a senior in 2007 at Greenbrier Christian Academy in Chesapeake, Va. He hit .365 with four homers and 31 RBI that season, helping the Gators win the state title. Rasberry is the fourth GCA product to sign with NSU this year, including recent graduates Sammy Serafine, James Taylor and Raymond Morton.
“John will add a good mix of speed, power and experience to our lineup as well as a solid glove to our outfield,” Clark said.
Zeilman (6-5, 230) played first base for two seasons at Ulster County Community College (N.Y.). He was a first-team All-Mid-Hudson Conference and All-Region 15 pick as a sophomore this past spring. He hit .363 with three home runs, 10 doubles and 38 RBI.
“Blaze gives us another strong left-handed batter with the potential to immediately increase our run production,” Clark said. “We were very lucky to land a player with his rare size and strength.”
Egan (6-2, 190) played first base and pitched for First Colonial. He went 2-2 with a 1.59 ERA, compiling 33 strikeouts in just 22 innings as a senior on the mound. He also batted .316 with three homers and 16 RBI. Egan teamed with fellow NSU signee Trevor Hinson to lead FC to the Beach District tournament championship.
“Jordan is a right-handed pitcher with a good arm who will help add depth to our pitching staff,” Clark said. “He also gives us another quality left-handed bat that we can use in the lineup as he develops.”
The three recruits bring NSU's current class to 13 players, making it one of the largest and more decorated classes in the school's Division I history. Signees Serafine, Hinson, Taylor and Richie Salter (Virginia Beach, Va./Cox HS) recently earned All-Tidewater recognition by The Virginian-Pilot. Serafine and Taylor also earned first-team all-state honors. Joel Himan (Woodbridge, Va./C.D. Hylton HS) was named Cardinal District Player of the Year and earned All-Northwest Region and all-area accolades in Northern Virginia.
In addition, Rasberry is the seventh of the 13 recruits to be admitted into NSU's Honors College for high school graduates and and transfers with outstanding academic records. The others are Serafine, Salter, Greg Abetz (Norfolk, Va./Granby HS), Robbie Brownschidle (Yorktown, Va./Grafton HS), Ryan Montgomery (Prince George, Va./Prince George HS) and Raymond Morton (Chesapeake, Va./Greenbrier Christian)..
2009 NSU Baseball Signees
Greg Abetz , RHP, Norfolk, Va./Granby HS
Robbie Brownschidle, RHP/1B, Yorktown, Va./Grafton HS
Jordan Egan*, RHP/1B, Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial HS
Joel Himan, RHP, Woodbridge, Va./C.D. Hylton HS
Trevor Hinson, RHP, Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial HS
Shane Hoggard, 1B/OF, Hampton, Va./Bethel HS
Ryan Montgomery, C, Prince George, Va./Prince George HS
Raymond Morton, RHP/C, Chesapeake, Va./Greenbrier Christian Academy
John Rasberry*, OF, Suffolk, Va./Delaware Tech
Richard Salter, LHP, Virginia Beach, Va./Cox HS
Sammy Serafine, IF, Chesapeake, Va./Greenbrier Christian Academy
James Taylor, OF, Virginia Beach, Va./Greenbrier Christian Academy
Blaze Zeilman*, 1B, St. Augustine, Fla./Ulster County CC (N.Y.)
* Latest signees
