Central Michigan University Athletics
Baseball
Justin Sumner
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- E-Mail Address:
- sumne2jw@cmich.edu
- Phone:
- (989) 774-2412
- Year at CMU:
- 3rd
- Hometown:
- Rich Hill, Mo.
- Alma Mater/Year:
- St. Mary/2011; Pittsburg State/2019
- Experience:
- 10th year
Justin Sumner is in his third year as an assistant on coach Jake Sabol’s Central Michigan baseball staff.
He is primarily responsible for working with the hitters and infielders, while assisting in all recruiting efforts.
Among the highlights of Sumner’s two seasons on Sabol's CMU staff are road wins over Power 5 opponents Michigan State (twice), Notre Dame and Central Florida, and a dramatic walk-off victory over rival Western Michigan on Senior Day on storied Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium in 2024.
Sumner helped oversee a three-game improvement in wins by the Chippewas from 2024 to 2025 and an improvement in virtually every statistical category both at the plate and on the mound. CMU outfielder Zach Knowlton was named to the 2025 Mid-American Conference All-Defensive Team after posting a .995 fielding percentage
The Chippewas received the Team Academic Excellence Award from the American Baseball Coaches Association in both 2024 and '25, marking the fifth time in program history that CMU baseball has been so honored.
In 2025, five Chippewas were named to the Academic All-District Team and four earned Academic All-MAC honors one season after a dozen captured Academic All-MAC honors, catcher/infielder Nick Dardas earned the MAC Medal of Excellence, and two seniors, Jacob Donahue and Ely Stuart, garnered All-MAC accolades.
Sumner served during the 2021 and 2022 seasons as an assistant at Ohio and prior to that was an assistant at New England College and at Saint Anselm College, both which are located in New Hampshire, and also has coached at the high school and collegiate summer league level.
Sumner, a native of Rich Hill, Mo., played collegiately at Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College and at the University of Saint Mary in Leavanworth, Kan.
He is primarily responsible for working with the hitters and infielders, while assisting in all recruiting efforts.
Among the highlights of Sumner’s two seasons on Sabol's CMU staff are road wins over Power 5 opponents Michigan State (twice), Notre Dame and Central Florida, and a dramatic walk-off victory over rival Western Michigan on Senior Day on storied Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium in 2024.
Sumner helped oversee a three-game improvement in wins by the Chippewas from 2024 to 2025 and an improvement in virtually every statistical category both at the plate and on the mound. CMU outfielder Zach Knowlton was named to the 2025 Mid-American Conference All-Defensive Team after posting a .995 fielding percentage
The Chippewas received the Team Academic Excellence Award from the American Baseball Coaches Association in both 2024 and '25, marking the fifth time in program history that CMU baseball has been so honored.
In 2025, five Chippewas were named to the Academic All-District Team and four earned Academic All-MAC honors one season after a dozen captured Academic All-MAC honors, catcher/infielder Nick Dardas earned the MAC Medal of Excellence, and two seniors, Jacob Donahue and Ely Stuart, garnered All-MAC accolades.
Sumner served during the 2021 and 2022 seasons as an assistant at Ohio and prior to that was an assistant at New England College and at Saint Anselm College, both which are located in New Hampshire, and also has coached at the high school and collegiate summer league level.
Sumner, a native of Rich Hill, Mo., played collegiately at Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College and at the University of Saint Mary in Leavanworth, Kan.
Dave Keilitz interview on Zach McKinstry
Friday, July 11
Jake Sabol Interview on Zach McKinstry
Friday, July 11
Baseball vs Oakland
Tuesday, May 13
Baseball vs Eastern Michigan
Sunday, May 11
