Nick Groves

Nick Groves - 03.11.25 vs. Western Illinois

Photo by: Kevin Snyder - Illinois Athletics

Year:
Sr.
Ht./Wt.:
5-11 / 185
Position:
OF
Hometown:
Bayfield, Ontario, Canada
High School:
École secondaire Monseigneur-Bruyère

University of Illinois Graduate

CAREER HIGHS

Hits: 4, vs. Rutgers, March 20, 2026
Doubles: 2, vs. SIUE, April 14, 2026
Triples: 1, 4x, last: vs. Northwestern, May 10, 2026
Home runs: 1, vs. Rutgers, March 21, 2026
Total bases: 6, 2x, last: vs. Northwestern, May 10, 2026
RBI: 3, 3x, last: vs. Rutgers, March 21, 2026
Runs scored: 4, at Texas State, Feb. 22, 2025
Walks: 3, 3x, last: at Penn State, March 27, 2026
Hit by pitch: 2, at Rutgers, May 2, 2025 (G1)
Sac flies: 1, 4x, last: vs. Northwestern, May 9, 2026
Sac bunts: 1, 6x, last: vs. Bradley, May 6, 2026
At bats: 6, 4x, last: vs. #19 Oregon, April 18, 2026
Stolen bases: 3, vs. Abilene Christian, Feb. 15, 2025
Field chances: 7, at #20 USC, March 7, 2026
Putouts: 6, 2x, last: at #20 USC, March 7, 2026
Assists: 1, 3x, last: at Iowa, May 2, 2026

2026 - SENIOR

Started and appeared in 54 games for the Fighting Illini in 2026.
Slashed .312/.446/.420 with 64 hits, 11 doubles, four triples, one home run, and 26 RBI.
Tied for the team lead with 12 stolen bases.
Also added 40 walks and 11 HBP while scoring 44 runs.
His 42-game on-base streak marked the fourth-longest by an Illini since 2004.
His .466 career on-base percentage ranks second in program hisStory.
Hit in the leadoff spot in all 54 games he appeared in.
Had 18 multi-hit outings and seven games with multiple RBI.
Made his season debut on Opening Day at South Florida on Feb. 13.
Logged three consecutive multi-hit games from Feb. 14-17.
Secured a strong outing on Feb. 15 at South Florida, going 2-for-3 with a double, two walks, one RBI, and three runs scored.
Went 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, and a walk at #6 Coastal Carolina on Feb. 22.
Turned in a standout performance on Feb. 27 vs. Michigan State, going 3-for-4 with a double, one run scored, and a walk.
Put together a 3-for-4 day at the plate with a triple and two RBI vs. Western Illinois on March 10.
Posted a career-high four hits on March 20 vs. Rutgers, going 4-for-5 with three runs scored.
Hit his first Illini home run on March 21 vs. Rutgers, going 3-for-5 with three runs scored and a season-high three RBI.
Reached base three times with three walks and scored three runs on March 27 at Penn State.
Turned in a three-hit performance on April 4 at Purdue, going 3-for-5 with two RBI and a stolen base.
Went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored vs. New Orleans on April 10.
Logged three hits, two doubles, two runs scored, and an RBI vs. SIUE on April 14.
Tallied a 2-for-6 effort with two RBI, a double, and a triple vs. #19 Oregon on April 18.
Posted a 2-for-4 day with an RBI and two runs scored vs. #20 Nebraska on April 24.
Went 3-for-4 with a single, a double, a triple, an RBI, and two runs scored on Senior Day vs. Northwestern on May 10.
Turned in a two-hit, two-RBI performance at Indiana on May 14.
Academic All-Big Ten.
CSC Academic All-District.

2025 - JUNIOR

Appeared in 43 games, making 41 starts, for the Illini in his first season at Illinois.
Posted an overall slash of .324/.493/.385 to go along with 40 runs scored, nine doubles, 18 RBI, 40 walks and 15 stolen bases.
His on-base percentage of .493 was the fifth-highest mark among all Big Ten players at the conclusion of the Big Ten Tournament.
His 15 stolen base were tied for seventh-most among all Big Ten players...swiped a season-high three bases on Feb. 15 vs. Abilene Christian...most stolen bases in a single season by an Illini since 2022.
Led the Illini with 40 walks.
Recorded 16 multi-hit games on the season, tied for third most on the squad.
Made his Illinois debut on Feb. 14 vs. Abilene Christian...went 2-for-4 with three RBI and walk.
Had a season-best seven-game hitting streak from March 8-18...went 9-for-24 (.375) with three doubles and three RBI.
Reached safely in all five plate appearances in the first game of the Illini's doubleheader at Rutgers on May 2...went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and was hit by a pitch twice.

2024 - SOPHOMORE (AT NIAGARA)

Second Team All-MAAC
MAAC All-Academic Team
Played and started in 46 games for the Purple Eagles.
Hit .326 primarily out of the leadoff position.
Blasted his first career homer against Queens on Feb. 25, went on to hit a career high three homers.
Set a new career high in hits, runs, doubles, and RBI in his sophomore season.
Drew 34 walks and ended fifth in Niagara history in walks.
Made 101 putouts with three assists while not committing an error.
Caught the final out of the MAAC Championship to secure the program’s first MAAC Title.
Had a 24 game on base streak during the season.
Had 20 multi-hit games, with 11 two-hit games, eight three hit game, and a four hit game against Fairfield on May 12.
Was the first ever Niagara player to reach base in an NCAA Tournament game as he was hit by a pitch to open the game against Oklahoma State on May 31st.

2023 - FRESHMAN (AT NIAGARA)

All-MAAC Rookie Team.
One of just three Purple Eagles to played in all 47 games while starting in 46 games, hit leadoff in all 46 starts.
Was second on the team in batting average at .339 while leading the team with a .504 on-base percentage which was second in the MAAC.
Had 57 walks which set a new Niagara single-season record and a MAAC single-season record…he had the most walks in the country for a freshman…led the country in walks per game at 1.21 walks per game while also leading all freshman in on base percentage.
Ended the season on a 24 game on base streak which was a team high.
Had 18 multi hit games, which included 13 two-hit games and five three-hit games.
Drove in 22 runs while swiping a team high 21 bases.
Had 100 putouts in the field along with 14 assists and finished the season with a .974 fielding percentage.
Earned MAAC Rookie of the Week honors twice.

HIGH SCHOOL

Attended École Secondaire Monseigneur Bruyère in London, Ontario, Canada.
Was part of the Great Lakes Canadians program.

PERSONAL

Born on Aug. 11, 2003.
Son of Todd and Anne Groves.
Has one brother, Jeff.
Chose Illinois because, "of the winning culture, professional development and great academic and athletic resources."
Pursuing a degree in agricultural and consumer economics with a focus on financial planning, along with a minor in business.