2017 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in 29 games including 12 starts, earning the starting nod in the season-opener in tournament-play against St. John's (Feb. 17) ... Eight of his starts came behind the plate with four coming as the designated hitter ... Finished the year with a .269 batting average, collecting 14 base hits including three doubles and a home run ... Collected his first career base hit in the season-opener, doubling down the left field line in the fifth inning of tournament play against St. John's (Feb. 17) ... Tallied his first multi-hit game with a pair of singles against Kent State (March 17), finishing the three-game series 4-for-7 ... Broke open a scoreless game against The Citadel (April 1), delivering a pinch hit, two-RBI double to the gap in left center to ignite WCU to a 6-0 victory ... Hit his first collegiate home run in a 1-for-2, career-high three RBI performance against Savannah State (April 25); Summer League: Batted .333 over 40 games for the Lake Erie (Mich.) Monarchs in the Great Lakes League, helping guide the team to the North Division championship ... Finished second on the team with 49 hits including 13 doubles and a home run, driving in 32 runs.

2016 (Freshman): Traveled all season but did not see game action, taking a redshirt; Summer League: Played for the Piedmont Pride of the Southern Collegiate League ... Saw action in 24 games on the summer, posting a .316 batting average ... Turned in five multi-hit games including a three-hit showing on July 8 ... Finished with 18 hits including a double and a home run, recording eight RBI ... Drew seven walks..

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a three-time All-Western Highlands Conference selection, twice garnering the league's MVP honor in his final two seasons ... Posted a career .386 batting average with 34 career doubles, five triples and 22 home runs ... Amassed 114 career RBI and stole 13 bases ... Batted over .440 in each of his final three seasons as a prep, helping his squad to three-straight, 20-win seasons ... High school coach was Mark Cook.

Personal: Full name is Justin Michael Sparks ... Is the son of Mike and Wendi Sparks ... Has a younger brother, Matthew ... His father, Mike, played football at Ole Miss ... Traditionally draws a No. 2 and a cross in the dirt when he approaches the plate in memory of slain Buncombe County police officer - and family friend - Jeff Hewitt ... the No. 2 represents Hewitt's unit number.

Career Game Highs:
At Bats: 4, MARSHALL (2/25/17)
Hits: 2, three times (MR: FURMAN, 4/14/17)
Runs: 2, three times (MR: THE CITADEL, 4/2/17)
Doubles: 1, three times (MR: WOFFORD, 5/6/17)
Home Runs: 1, SAVANNAH STATE (4/25/17)
RBI: 3, SAVANNAH STATE (4/25/17)
Walks: 1, five times (MR: at Kennesaw State, 5/8/17)
Hitting Streak: 3 games (4/11/17 - 4/15/17)