Illinois’ on-base machine and steady leadoff spark
In the 2026 season, Nick Groves was the kind of top-order hitter coaches love: he played in 54 games, hit .312 with a team-best .446 on-base percentage, and closed his Illinois career with more than 100 hits and the second-best career on-base mark in program history. He also brought real staying power, riding a 40-game on-base streak in the spring and earning Academic All-District honors. The fit is obvious: disciplined, dependable, and built to set the table rather than chase headlines.
