NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State baseball coach Claudell Clark announced Wednesday that he has signed five recruits during the early signing period. The five players, four high school standouts and one junior-college player, will suit up for the Spartans beginning in the spring of 2011.

The high school signees are right handed pitcher Jeff DiFulgo (Virginia Beach, Va./Kellam HS), pitcher/first baseman Jason Ellington (Newport News, Va./Warwick HS), right handed pitcher/outfielder Chase Kyriacou (Virginia Beach, Va./Cox HS) and outfielder Cameron Day (Virginia Beach, Va./Landstown HS). Clark also signed JC transfer first baseman/designated hitter Hunter Kenney (Culpeper, Va./Patrick Henry Community College).

“We are very pleased to have added five impact players during the 2009-10 early signing period,” Clark said. “Each of the student-athletes will bring a great deal of athleticism and positive energy to our program. By adding this group to an already deep core of position players and pitchers, we feel that our ball club can only improve.”

Following are highlights on each player, along with comments from coach Clark:

DiFulgo went 10-1 with a 1.85 ERA en route to first-team All-Beach District and first-team All-Tidewater honors as a junior in 2009. DiFulgo, who also made the All-Eastern Region second team, batted .380 for coach St. Clair Jones.

“Jeff has shown the ability to consistently pitch deep into key games on the high school level,” Clark said. “He comes to us as one of the top pitchers in the Tidewater area and will have the opportunity to compete for a spot in our starting rotation. Jeff commands his fastball well and has the ability to throw a quality splitter in any count.”
 
Ellington was the Peninsula District Player of the Year as a junior, belting 12 home runs and driving in 46 runs in 20 games. Ellington batted .467 and was selected to the all-district, all-region and Daily Press All-Star first teams. Ellington, who will also pitch for NSU, compiled a 4-2 record on the mound for the Raiders, coached by Todd Barker.

“Jason has the potential to come in and add depth to our pitching staff right away,” Clark said. “He spots his live fastball well and keeps hitters off balance with a sharp slider. He will also have the chance to earn a spot in our lineup due to his tremendous offensive output at the high school level.”

Kyriacou was second-team All-Beach District last season, when he teamed with current Spartan Richie Salter to help Cox win district and region titles en route to a state tournament berth. He batted .409 with 11 stolen bases and 19 RBI, and also had five outfield assists for coach Bill Conroy. On the mound, Kyriacou was 1-1 with a 3.15 ERA.

“We are looking for Chase to further solidify our bullpen and be an impact outfielder as he develops,” Clark said. “He has the work ethic and versatility to excel at both positions, giving us yet another key two-way player.”

Day was a first-team All-Beach District and second-team All-Eastern Region and All-Tidewater pick as a junior. Day batted .452 with three home runs, 18 RBI and nine stolen bases while striking out just five times in over 80 at-bats for coach Mike Mungin. He was also selected to play in the prestigious Commonwealth Games last summer. 

“Cameron is a very athletic outfielder who will be one of the physically strongest players on the team from day one,” Clark said. “As he gets at-bats and continues to gain experience, we expect him to be a mainstay in our outfield during his career at NSU.”

Kenney was an honorable mention All-Region X selection at designated hitter as a freshman in 2009. He was second on the Patrick Henry team with a .385 average and 30 RBI, and also hit two home runs to help PHCC finish 40-17 under coach Christopher Parker. Kenney was a three-time All-Cedar Run District pick at Culpeper High School before enrolling at PHCC.

“Hunter is a junior-college transfer who will immediately compete for a key spot in the middle of our lineup,” Clark said. “He is an experienced left-handed hitter who has the ability to drive in runs in key situations as well as hit for power.”