THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 7, 1997 TAG: 9702071040
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BRIAN J. FRENCH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 37 lines
Call them a Division I- 1/2 team.
The Norfolk State Spartans, in their final season of CIAA and Division II membership, have both a facility and schedule worthy of a Division I program. Which is good, since they'll be a full-fledged Division I member next year.
Beginning with today's season opener at Duke, the Spartans will play 23 games against Division I opponents, including Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth and several Middle-Eastern Athletic Conference teams. And beginning with a doubleheader against Penn State Feb. 22, the Spartans will be playing in a new baseball stadium.
``This new complex will improve our program greatly,'' said Norfolk State coach Marty Miller. ``Last year (because of the lack of a facility) we only had five complete practices, which is not the best thing for a young team.''
This will also be the first time since 1994 that the Spartans will play on campus. They were forced off campus during construction of the new stadium.
For the Spartans, banned from NCAA tournament play during their transition from Division II to Division I, the CIAA tournament will be their World Series.
Norfolk State is strong in the outfield and inexperienced in the infield.
Omari Venable (.411 in 31 games last year), Adrian Harris (.392 in 32 games) and Shawn Bradley (.378 in 32 games) make up the outfield. All started last season and only Venable is a senior.
According to Miller, the play of shortstop Deion Eaddy (.384 BA, .891 fielding percentage in 28 games) is key for Norfolk State.
Harry Baylor (5-1, 6.37 ERA, 4 complete games, 45 strikeouts) and David Ellyson (6-3, 7.11 ERA, four saves) are the top returning pitchers. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
NSU Schedule