May 29, 2024

By Melissa Verge

Canadian Baseball Network

It’s fitting that the leadoff hitter for Niagara University in the NCAA Baseball Regional Friday is used to being the underdog.

Nick Groves had to fight for success on the baseball diamond growing up in London, Ont. The centre fielder wasn’t given any genetic handouts, as a small kid who was always undersized.

Groves focused on what he could control, putting in extra practice hitting, fielding and in the gym.

He was undersized, but not to be underestimated.

Coming in as the heavy underdog in their first regional in history Friday, the same holds true for the Niagara Purple Eagles in their matchup vs. Oklahoma State.

Not to be underestimated, Groves said, who is an alumni of the Great Lake Canadians program.

“I think us being a little bit of the underdog we play with a chip on our shoulder, and I think that’s going to help us possibly take home the victory,” Groves said.

The now 5-foot-10, 170-pound Canadian is set to be an important part of that matchup. He has been a vital part of the team's roster for the last two seasons. The 20-year-old has a .446 OBP this season, batting .326 in 44 games with Niagara. As a freshman last year he had 57 walks, getting on base in whatever way he could, setting the tone for his team for the rest of the game.

He describes his playing style as slightly scrappy.

His assistant coach, Matt Spatafora, describes him as an offensive weapon.

He’s their driving motor, an on-base machine, Spatafora said, who recruited Groves to the team. He has gap power and is a threat on the base paths.

“Nick checks all the boxes that anyone could ever want and probably even more so,” Spatafora said. “He’s an incredible kid.”

Groves will be hitting leadoff and starting in centre for the regional against Oklahoma, Spatafora said.

Growing up, he primarily played middle infield. It wasn’t until his gap year in high school, training with former MLB player and fellow Canadian Adam Stern (London, Ont.), that he made a bit of a switch. Being versatile was a benefit to the recruiting process, and he excelled at the position in his first season with the Purple Eagles last year.

“Defensively he's one of the best centre fielders we've ever had and we've had some really good ones,” Spatafora said. He's fearless in centre and just goes and makes the play.”

Their defence as a whole has helped keep them in games, and their offence has been incredible, with their team scoring an average of 8.5 runs per game, he said.

The Canadians on their roster have been a big part of that - the Purple Eagles have 14 Canadians in total. They represent three provinces, Ontario, Alberta and B.C., with LHP Blake MacMillan from Mississauga Ont., 1B/OF Matt Torresan from Grimsby Ont., LHP Zac Laird from Langley B.C., RHP Steven Hospital from Oakville Ont., INF Brodie MacKay from Burlington Ont., RHP Brady Kobitowich from Edmonton Alta., LHP Evan Wilde from Airdrie Alta., RHP Zach Cameron from Hamilton Ont., LHP Nick Veselinovic from LaSalle Ont., LHP Noah Richardson from Windsor Ont., C/OF Rees Kozar from Amherstburg Ont., C/1B Jason Green from Georgetown Ont., and catcher Matt Ward from Mississauga Ont..

Those 14 and the rest of the Purple Eagles roster are ready to bring their A game to Oklahoma Friday, Groves said.

They’re underdogs, a familiar feeling for a kid who was always on the smaller side on the ball diamond, but not to be underestimated.

“I think we’re all excited and we’re all prepared, and we’re ready to shock the world,” Groves said.