Cote Ready To ‘Enjoy The Experience’ At Niagara

Nicholas Cote 3B / 1B / Oakville Trafalgar, ON / 2025

OAKVILLE, Ontario - There was never any doubt about college baseball for Nick Cote.

“I was always confident I’d find a school I liked,” explained the Oakville Trafalgar High School graduate, who is now taking a gap year getting ready for being part of the Niagara program after a recent commitment to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference university. “I knew I’d find a place. I didn’t have the most offers, but I have a lot of confidence in myself.”

Niagara liked what they saw in the sixth-rated 2025 third baseman in Ontario.

“In talking to my coaches at the Fieldhouse, they were telling me they were interested,” Cote reflected about Niagara. “They saw me in mid-July and I did really well and in early August saw me at the CBL All-Star Game where I got MVP. We talked and set up a visit.”

That took place on Sept. 13.

“I liked the campus and the new assistant coach,” Cote related. “I met the players and liked the environment. I got my offer, but I waited a couple of weeks before I called and said I wanted to go there. I’m just excited about it.”

Admittedly, it was not an easy recruiting process for the 18-year-old.

“I’m a late bloomer,” Cote explained. “I didn’t have any offers or interest until this year. I talked to some schools but didn’t really have much interest. This is the only visit and offer I had, but it’s not why I decided to go there.

“The coach just has a lot of confidence in me,” Cote continued. “I appreciate that I can go in there and if I work the opportunity is there to start as a freshman. I want to go in and make an impact right away.”

The 77th-ranked 2025 in Ontario credited Oakland A’s scout Matt Higginson and Fieldhouse Baseball Director of Operations Jimmy Richardson with playing important roles in getting Niagara to show interest and eventually present an offer.

“They like that I make a lot of good hard contact and that I’m a pretty strong defender as well,” Cote noted about Niagara.

Improvement was vital in getting to the point of being a Division I baseball commit.

“It all started with changing my body,” the 6-0 190-pounder explained. “I became more athletic. It was about getting in the weight room and getting stronger, faster and more athletic. It all starts with what you look like. I became a better fielder and I’m able to steal more bases. I just feel more confident in my abilities.”

Confidence is just part of what Cote believes he can provide the Niagara program.

“I’ll bring leadership,” Cote said. “I’m a guy they can count on in big opportunities with the bat. I’ll be a good teammate as well.”

To finally know where his future lies during a gap year is comforting to say the least.

“I’m super relieved,” Cote said. “I’m excited to have found my school but it also makes me want to get even better. I want to get in the gym even more now. It really gave me more motivation.”

Cote, who finished high school with a 4.0 GPA and is planning to major in business finance in college, is ready for the challenges ahead at the university located an hour from home.

“I’m excited about it all,” Cote concluded. “I can’t wait to meet all my teammates and have a competitive season. I want to do what I can, have fun and enjoy this experience.”