After playing Division I baseball for two seasons at Norfolk State University, Johnny Mayer plans to focus on his studies.

Mayer has decided his sophomore season will be his last season playing baseball.

Mayer took some time to think about his decision and realized that his future wasn’t going to be centered around baseball after college. Now that he is going into his junior year, he will be focusing more on his major and decided that focusing on school was going to be best for him.

“It was a tough decision,” Mayer said. “I had been playing baseball since the T-ball age. I have always had that dream of playing in the major league, but we all face that reality at some point in our life. It was a tough decision to make, but I know God has a different plan for me.”

As a freshman last year, Mayer earned a starting spot in the outfield towards the end of the season. It had him eager to start his sophomore season to see what was in store.

His sophomore season had him swapping his starting position to third base. Third base is the same spot Mayer played for the Warriors when they won a state title in 2016.

“Throughout my baseball career, I’ve jumped all around the field,” he said. “In high school, I played all three infield positions. Defense has always been my strong suit. I feel like I can play at any infield position and hold my own.”

Offensively, he struggled a bit, but Mayer has been more than open by saying the defense is where his strength is. He had 18 hits to go along with nine runs, a triple and five RBIs.

Mayer will be walking away from his baseball career halfway through his college career. However, he is in a comfortable place with his decision.

At Nansemond River High School, Mayer was an exceptional student-athlete. He was part of a talented Nansemond River baseball team in 2016 the won the school’s first state title.