Former Niagara first baseman Eric Rataczak commits to Tennessee

Former Niagara first baseman Eric Rataczak has officially committed to Tennessee, On3 has learned.

“I am excited to announce my commitment to the University of Tennessee! Can’t wait to get to work with all the @Vol_Baseball staff, thank you to them for the wonderful opportunity,” Rataczak tweeted on Monday.

“Thanks to my parents for their endless support in the pursuit of my dreams. I love you guys.”

Rataczak has had a fascinating ascension up the college baseball ranks, playing high school baseball at Torino-Grace High School in Fridley, Minnesota where he received zero scholarship offers. Deciding to attend the University of San Diego where he played club baseball for a year before being diagnosed Type 1 diabetes.

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He spent one year away from baseball before returning to the JUCO baseball ranks, spending time at Wabash Valley College and Arizona Western Community College where he posted a .314 batting average with 11 RBIs before returning back to San Diego to play club baseball again.

Last summer Rataczak finally got some attention while playing in the Western Canadian League for the Brooks Bombers from Niagara head coach Rob McCoy and his staff. Receiving a scholarship from the Purple Eagles and delivering one of the best seasons in program history in 2024. Leading the MAAC in batting average, OPS, RBI, and on base percentage along with setting new program records for single season runs, hits, home runs, and RBIs to earn MAAC Player of the Year and a unanimous selection to the MAAC First-Team.

Rataczak batted .396 with 17 homers and 91 RBIs last season for Niagara with 88 hits, 59 runs, and a .698 slugging percentage. Now join the defending national champions and one of the biggest brands in college sports ahead of the 2025 college baseball season after starting off his college career with extremely humble beginnings.

“He’s been the single most influential guy that we’ve had from a leadership perspective since I’ve been here,” McCoy told the Niagara Gazette following 16 seasons as Niagara’s head coach. “… We get guys on the younger side that have a lot of potential that we need to develop and so we see a lot of their development happen here. His development happened before he got here. … He’s a man of few words, so when he feels like he’s got something to say, he says it and everybody listens.”

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

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