NORFOLK, Va. - Norfolk State baseball coach Claudell Clark got his 2013 recruiting class off to a good start with the signing of three players to national letters of intent to play for the Spartans beginning next year.

The class includes middle infielder/pitcher Nick Faison (Virginia Beach, Va./Landstown HS), junior college pitcher Corey Haynes (Stafford, Va./Patrick Henry CC) and catcher Nik Milvo (Chesapeake, Va./Indian River HS).

"The incoming recruits give us additional depth at three vital points on the field. They all have the potential to make an impact on the success of our ball club in their first year due to the athletic ability that they possess," Clark said. "Most importantly, they are the type of players who will fit into and appreciate the rigorous system that we have in place to prepare our student-athletes to excel academically and athletically."

Faison (5-10, 165) is entering his fourth year as a varsity starter and captain at Landstown. He batted .350 with 24 runs batted in and 22 runs scored as a junior in 2012, earning second-team All-Beach District honors. Faison also went 5-2 with a 2.42 ERA on the mound. He is ranked as a top 50 prospect in the state of Virginia's class of 2013 by both Virginia Preps and Perfect Game.

"Nick has the tools to be a successful two-way player on the college level," Clark said. "His upper-80s fastball and quality breaking ball will add depth to our bullpen right away. He also has the potential to become an exceptional college middle infielder due to his range and above average arm strength. We feel that he will hit successfully at this level because of his quick hands and advanced approach at the plate."

Haynes (6-2, 185), a right-hander, is in his sophomore season at Patrick Henry Community College, the same school that produced current NSU standout pitcher Chris Horne. Haynes went 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA in eight appearances as a freshman at PHCC. Haynes was also a teammate of current Spartan outfielder Mikey Bruno at Mountain View High School in Stafford, Va. Haynes owns the Mountain View school record with six career saves. He also posted four victories and a career ERA of 1.89 as a reliever there.

"Corey will be given the opportunity to become a starter or a reliever due to his upper-80s velocity and quality repertoire of pitches," Clark said. "He is very athletic and has a tremendous work-ethic that should enable him to take on a heavy work load on the mound and stay healthy in the process."

Milvo (5-11, 185) batted a team-best .411 as a junior last season en route to second-team All-Southeastern District honors. He also boasted a .500 on-base percentage in addition to 19 RBI, seven stolen bases, six doubles and four triples. Milvo will conclude his high school career this spring as a three-year captain.

"Nik is a left-handed hitting catcher who has the tools to excel both offensively and defensively," Clark said. "He has a quick transfer along with technically sound footwork, which should give him the opportunity to throw out a high percentage of potential base stealers. At the plate, he gives us another left-handed bat and has the potential to hit for power and average during his career at NSU." 

Clark added that he expects to add more recruits in the spring signing period.