About Griffin
Outstanding defensive catcher will assume top duties behind the plate for
his senior season ... excellent catch-and-throw receiver takes the place of
departed two-time All-American David Castillo ... added 25 pounds to his frame
to take on the extra physical burden of being the No. 1 catcher ... handles
pitching staff well ... enjoyed a great Fall practice, making good strides
offensively ... a team leader.
Summer 2003
Helped lead Wenatchee to the Pacific International League championship and a
berth in the NBC World Series ... batted .273 in 16 PIL games, then caught fire
at the NBC World Series, hitting .562 (9-16) with eight RBI in five games.
2003 Highlights (Junior)
Primary backup to David Castillo ... caught 9 of 15 (60%) would-be base
stealers ... batted .292 with one home run and four RBI in conference play ...
named to the 2003 Mid-Con All-Tournament team after making the tourney's top
defensive play and homering in the championship tilt ... his defensive gem came
in semifinals against Southern Utah ... SUU had runners on 1st and 2nd with none
out, a run home and ORU up 4-2, and Griffin's grab of a short hop throw from 1B
Andy Hargrove snuffed out an SUU rally ... 4-for-9 with two RBI in Western
Illinois series ... belted season's first home run in 17-7 win at Oakland (5/10)
... 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in 7-2 win over Southern Utah (5/3) ...
was 2-for-3 and scored a run in ORU's 3-2 win over Oklahoma ... had pinch-hit
RBI single in 11-8 loss at No. 7 Miami (4/6) ... 1-for-2 with three walks in
ORU's win over McNeese State ... 1-for-4 with a stolen base against Kansas
(3/16).
At Northeastern Oklahoma A&M
Two-time all-conference selection at NEO ... batted .371 with four home runs and
49 RBI as a junior ... had 14 doubles and two triples for a .539 slugging
percentage ... also threw out 26 of 43 would-be base stealers ... hit .358 with
14 doubles and 29 RBI as a freshman ... coached by Roger Ward.
High School
2000 graduate of Union High School ... 3-time all-metro selection and twice
named all-conference ... named a Sunbelt Classic All-American ... helped lead
Union to a pair of regional championships ... coached by Mark Garner.
Personal
Full name is Nathan Griffin ... son of Gary and Sandy Griffin ... Business
Administration major ... chose ORU over New Mexico State, South Carolina and
Cal-Poly ... born December 7, 1981.
