NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State baseball coach Claudell Clark announced Thursday the signing of five recruits to national letters of intent during the early signing period. Included among the recruits are three pitchers, one infielder and one outfielder, all from the state of Virginia.
The five players, four high school standouts and one junior-college player, will suit up for the Spartans beginning in the spring of 2012. The new additions are right handed pitchers Chris Horne (Windsor, Va./Patrick Henry CC), Jeremy Sandifer (Virginia Beach, Va./Landstown HS) and Ian Shiner (Virginia Beach, Va./Kellam HS), middle infielder Justin Lee (Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge HS) and outfielder James Essex (Falls Church, Va./Bishop O'Connell HS).
“We are happy to begin our recruiting efforts for 2011-2012 with the signing of five quality players in the early period,” Clark said. “All of these young men have the talent and work ethic to make significant contributions to our program during their careers at NSU. They also have shown a commitment to academics and should represent the program well in the community and on the field of play.”
Horne (6-0, 180) went 4-2 with a 4.40 ERA as a freshman at Patrick Henry Community College, the same school which produced current Spartans Rafael Colon and Hunter Kinney. Horne struck out 46 batters in 43 innings in 19 appearances as a freshman in 2010 at PHCC. Horne was the two-time Tri-Rivers District Player of the Year while at Windsor High School.
“Chris has the potential to be a key part of our pitching staff in his first year at NSU. He can throw three quality pitches for strikes in relief and starting roles,” Clark said. “The durability that he has shown in junior college should make him a quality addition to our staff.”
Sandifer (6-2, 190) posted a 2.33 ERA and struck out 77 batters in 41.2 innings as a junior at Landstown. He also batted .308 with 28 RBI.
“Jeremy has good arm strength and the secondary pitches to finish off hitters,” Clark said. “As he continues to refine his control and the command of his pitches, he will have the chance to become a front-line starting pitcher at NSU. He is very athletic on the mound and projects to throw with even more velocity in college.”
Shiner (6-2, 230) went 3-2 with a 2.83 ERA in 10 pitching appearances last year for Kellam. He struck out 22 batters in 37 innings and made five starts and five relief appearances.
“Ian is another of our pitching recruits with good arm strength. He commands his fastball well and is very aggressive in going after hitters,” Clark said. “As his off-speed pitches develop, he will be even more effective and will be a mainstay on the mound at NSU.”
Lee (5-10, 165) was a first-team All-Southeastern District, All-Eastern Region and All-Tidewater selection as a junior second baseman at Great Bridge. He batted .392 with 26 runs scored and eight doubles last year.
“Justin will come to us with an advanced feel for playing the infield,” Clark said. “As he gets stronger, he will have the chance to develop into a solid middle infielder in the MEAC. He has proven to be a tough out with the ability to get key hits in big games on the high school level.”
Essex (6-4, 185) was a second-team All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference pick as a junior at Bishop O'Connell. He batted .382 with 46 runs scored and 16 stolen bases and also served as team captain.
“James is a very athletic outfielder who has great size for an incoming freshman,” Clark said. “As he continues to grow and mature, he has the potential to develop into a legitimate offensive and defensive standout at NSU. James has an outstanding work ethic and should be a very exciting player during his career as a Spartan.”
