‘A goal of mine’ freshman Bennett opens season in Niagara rotation

Great Lake Canadians RHP Nate Bennett (London, Ont.) makes his Niagara Purple Eagles debut with a Sunday start against the Miami Hurricanes.

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

Making your college debut as a freshman is a big deal.

Making it as the starter in Game 3 of an opening weekend series at the University Miami is another level. When right-handed pitcher Nate Bennett walked into the Niagara Purple Eagles’ facility last week, he was approached by head coach Matt Spatafora (Scarborough, Ont.).

It was no ordinary conversation but Bennett (London, Ont.) is no ordinary first-year pitcher.

“Coach Spatafora pulled me aside and told me the news,” Bennett said. “I was pretty excited. It had been a goal of mine to earn a spot in the rotation since I first got to school in the fall.”

What Bennett lacks in experience, which can only come when given the opportunity, he makes up for in stuff and confidence.

And he’ll need it against a Hurricanes team that should be plenty motivated coming off a down year that saw them post a 27-30 record. In 2023, they went 42-21 and hosted a regional. Miami won the opener Friday night beating Niagara 14-2. LF Curtis McKay (Dorchester, Ont.) homered and 1B Jason Green (Georgetown, Ont.) doubled in Friday’s loss.

Miami won Game 2 10-0 on Saturday night.

But none of that seems to be fazing Bennett. In the lead up to the game, it’s business as usual.

“I’m not really doing anything different to prepare for this game. I’m going to stick to my routine and not change much,” he said. “Obviously, it’s a big game, making my college debut against a big time school like the University of Miami, but I have the same mind set going into all games no matter who it’s against.”

What is that mind set? Have fun and compete.

“I’m honestly looking forward to playing with the team. We have a great group of guys and I’m excited to be on the field with them. I think we can have a really good season,” he said. “I’m expecting it to be competitive. Every game I pitch in my mind set is compete.

“It’s pretty simple but it helps me stay focused on what’s important.”