NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – Norfolk State has crowned a new home run king.
 
NSU junior Justin Journette needed less than three full seasons to break the school's all-time home run record, launching his 36^th career bomb during the first game of Friday's doubleheader against Central Connecticut State.

THE HOME RUN KING 👑

Justin Journette launches the 36th home run of his career to become Norfolk State's all-time leader, breaking a 36-year old record!#GoldStandard🔰 pic.twitter.com/X55zIkbwkA

— Norfolk State Baseball (@SpartanBSB) April 25, 2025

The Spartans lost both matchups against the NEC-leading Blue Devils, falling 13-3 in game one and 4-3 in game two. Journette added more cushion to his historic mark in the second game, hitting the 37^th home run of his career.
 
Game 1 – CCSU 13, NSU 3 (7 innings)
 
Norfolk State fell behind early against the Blue Devils, allowing two runs in the first inning and four in the second. Kydese Queen and Jamal Ritter advanced on a double steal, taking advantage of a throwing error by CCSU to score the Spartans' first run.
 
Mazell singled home Ritter from there, cutting the gap to 6-2. Central Connecticut State responded with two more runs in the third inning and another in the fourth, boosting the gap to 9-2.
 
After the Blue Devils added two more runs to their total, Journette delivered the historic homer. The Richmond native swung at the first pitch he saw, smashing one over the left field fence.

Drew Munn collected the win for Central Connecticut State, allowing two earned runs across 7.0 innings of action.
 
Game 2 – CCSU 4, NSU 3
 
Norfolk State's pitching staff performed much better in the second game. Parker Hampton received the start, allowing four runs in five innings, before Norfolk State's relievers took care of business the rest of the way.
 
Ritter gave the Spartans an early lead, driving in Jalan Jones with a base hit to right field. Robert Beatty contributed an RBI single shortly after to put NSU ahead 2-0.
 
CCSU responded with one run in the fourth inning but took back control in the fourth frame by tallying three runs on three hits and a Spartan defensive error. Journette went deep once again in the fifth inning, sending his 37^th career home run over the centerfield wall to cut the gap to 4-3.
 
Donovan Whitfield took the mound in the sixth inning, immediately tossing a 1-2-3 frame. After an up-and-down start to the season, Whitfield has pitched scoreless outings in four of his last five appearances.
 
Myles Crocker pitched the seventh inning, loading the bases from a hit and a pair of walks. Yasseel Samboy came in from there and forced a quick flyout to escape the frame unscathed.
 
Samboy got the Spartans to the ninth with another scoreless inning. After Brendan Burke drew a walk, pinch runner Emmett Jefferson stole second to get NSU in scoring position. Wyatt Cameron came up with a timely strikeout, though, securing the Blue Devils' 19^th league victory.
 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE – GAME 1

• Norfolk State starter Ethan Blakeney (0-5) received the loss
• CCSU starter Drew Munn (6-0) earned the win
• Justin Journette hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, going 3-of-4 on the day

CHECKING THE BOX SCORE – GAME 2

• Norfolk State starter Parker Hampton (1-3) received the loss
• CCSU starter Vincent Borghese (8-1) earned the win
• Justin Journette hit a solo home run in the fifth inning
• Donovan Whitfield, Myles Crocker, and Yasseel Samboy combined to pitch three scoreless innings

NOTES

• Norfolk State dropped to 1-31 (1-19 NEC)
• CCSU improved to 24-8 (19-1 NEC)
• Justin Journette launched his 36^th career home run during the first game of the afternoon, breaking Mel Wearing's 36-year old all-time school record (35)
  • Journette accomplished the feat in under three full seasons
  • Journette added to the mark later in the afternoon, hitting his 37^th career home run in game two.

 
ON DECK
 
Norfolk State and CCSU will take Saturday off due to inclement weather on the forecast, playing the series finale on Sunday afternoon at 12 p.m.
 
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