Tennessee lands Niagara transfer Eric Rataczak

Field Level Media|published: Mon 8th July, 20:57 2024

Jun 24, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Tony Vitello signals the team against the Tennessee Volunteers during the ninth inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Former Niagara first baseman and outfielder Eric Rataczak announced Monday that he is transferring to the Tennessee Volunteers.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Rataczak is coming off a 2024 season in which he led the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with a .396 batting average to go along with 17 home runs, 71 RBIs and 14 doubles to earn conference player of the year honors. He set single-season program records for runs, hits, home runs and RBIs as Niagara earned its first NCAA tournament appearance in history.

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

Thanks to my parents for their endless support in the pursuit of my dreams. I love you guys ??
GB??! pic.twitter.com/pkHifzvLcR
— Eric Rataczak (@EricRataczak) July 8, 2024

Tennessee is the fourth college stop for Rataczak, who has also played for the University of San Diego and Arizona Western College. The Fridley, Minn. native provides the Vols with a potential replacement for outgoing first baseman Blake Burke.

"I am excited to announce my commitment to the University of Tennessee," Rataczak wrote on X. "Can't wait to get to work with all the Vol baseball staff, thank you to them for the wonderful opportunity. Thanks to my parents for their endless support in the pursuit of my dreams. I love you guys, GBO!"

Rataczak, who is draft eligible, has one year of eligibility remaining. He is the third transfer to commit to Tennessee thus far, joining Gavin Kilen and Tanner Franklin.

--Field Level Media