NORFOLK, Va. --- The Norfolk State baseball team continues its eight-game homestand this week, hosting Virginia State and Le Moyne at Marty L. Miller Field.
 
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Apr. 21 vs. Virginia State — 5 p.m.
Friday, Apr. 24 vs. Le Moyne — 3 p.m.
Saturday, Apr. 25 vs. Le Moyne — 1 p.m.
Sunday, Apr. 26 vs. Le Moyne — 12 p.m.
 
Fans can follow all games via live stats on the Norfolk State athletics website or on the NSU baseball X account.
 
ABOUT THE SPARTANS
Norfolk State enters the week 14-22 overall and 11-10 in Northeast Conference play. The Spartans went 2-2 last week, falling to VMI 8-4 before defeating New Haven 9-7 and 9-8. NSU dropped the series finale 15-4.
 
Thomas Ealey leads the Spartans with a .365 batting average, totaling 50 hits, 29 runs scored and 19 stolen bases. He also has 10 RBIs, two doubles and two triples. Jaydan Isreal and Justin Journette each hit .302, while Journette leads the team with 11 home runs. Josiah Harrison ranks fourth on the team with a .300 average.
 
Parker Hampton (3-1) leads Norfolk State's pitching staff with a 4.75 ERA and 29 strikeouts. Ethan Blakeney (3-3) has recorded 45 strikeouts with a 5.20 ERA. Yasseel Samboy (5-1) paces the bullpen with a 3.90 ERA and 27 strikeouts.
 
 ABOUT THE TROJANS
Virginia State enters Tuesday's matchup 11-18 overall and 3-7 in CIAA play. The Trojans went 3-2 last week, opening with a 20-3 loss at Barton before winning three of four games against Mid-Atlantic Christian (3-2, 1-0, 6-5, 7-5).
 
Norman Jackson leads the Trojans with a .371 batting average, recording 23 hits, 18 runs scored and seven RBIs. Jaquan Tucker ranks second with a .292 average, totaling 26 hits, 21 RBIs, 13 runs scored and eight doubles. Antonio Boone leads the team with 28 hits, while Luka Gilliam has a team-high two home runs.
 
Preston Branzelle (3-4) leads Virginia State on the mound with a 2.58 ERA and 50 strikeouts. Gavin Stevens (1-7) has recorded 40 strikeouts with a 5.86 ERA. Trey Mitchell has made six relief appearances and owns a 1.74 ERA.
 
SERIES HISTORY VS VIRGINIA STATE
Norfolk State holds a 56-13 all-time record against Virginia State. The teams last met in the regular season in 2012, when the Spartans won 10-2. The Trojans have not defeated NSU since 2005.
 
Tuesday's game features a father-son matchup, as NSU head coach M.L. Morgan faces his father, Virginia State head coach Merrill Morgan, for the first time in a regular-season game as a head coach. The teams also met in a fall exhibition in 2025.
 
ABOUT THE DOLPHINS
Le Moyne enters the week 12-19 overall and 12-9 in NEC play. The Dolphins went 2-1 last week against Fairleigh Dickinson (4-3, 19-13, 10-3) and will face Canisius midweek before traveling to Norfolk.
 
Paulie Goodness leads the team with a .433 batting average, totaling 45 hits, 32 runs scored and 29 stolen bases. He also has 13 RBIs, seven doubles, one triple and one home run. Jack Cannon ranks second with a .420 average, adding 55 hits, 42 RBIs, 39 runs scored, 37 stolen bases, nine doubles and five home runs. Isaac Brozon bats .350.
 
AJ Petraitis (4-4) leads Le Moyne starters with 35 strikeouts in 51.1 innings pitched. Luke VanMarter (1-4) has 27 strikeouts, while Luke Connors (2-2) has 26 and leads the team with four saves.
 
SERIES HISTORY VS LE MOYNE
Norfolk State is 0-6 all-time against Le Moyne, dating to 2024. The Dolphins swept last year's series 6-5, 9-7 and 14-9.
 
ON DECK
Norfolk State hits the road next week to face No. 10 Virginia on April 29 at 2 p.m. before returning to NEC play at Maryland Eastern Shore for a three-game series beginning Friday, May 1 at 3 p.m.
 
For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (X/Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit nsuspartans.com.