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Carter Knelsen and Andy Groening became instant friends when they first met on a baseball diamond in Leamington.
That friendship will continue on at the next level in the fall when the two are set to join the St. Clair Saints baseball team.
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“He’s my best friend,” Knelsen said of Groening.
In 2020, Groening’s family moved from Blenheim to Leamington where the two met.
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“I moved to Leamington in 2020 and COVID just happened,” Groening said. “Baseball’s been both of our strong suit and we got really close.”
They’ve played club baseball together as well as high school baseball, volleyball and basketball.
“We have great chemistry,” the 17-year-old Groening said. “I think the chemistry’s going to keep going.”
Last season, the two buddies would often catch the Saints in action with Knelsen’s brother Brady Knelsen a member of the St. Clair pitching staff.
“It really helped because I was able to meet the coaching staff a little bit earlier and meet some of the players,” said Knelsen, who is also a right-handed starting pitcher. “Just his (brother’s) positive vibes when he comes home and just everything he says he likes about it made it a lot easier.”
Groening admits he was looking for a scholarship in the United States, but the Saints had a lot to offer.
“Getting here was a big part of my journey because I’ve always wanted to go States side and I was always looking there ever since I went to the (Windsor) Selects at 16U,” said the six-foot-two, 210-pound Groening, who can play first base or third base. “It’s pricey over there and if you can find a good place over here, it just made the better decision.”
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Knelsen had family ties to the program, but that didn’t make his decision automatic.
“We all have our recruiting schedule,” the six-foot-three, 175-pound Knelsen said. “It was a personal commitment for me. (My brother) was here, so it made it a little bit easier for me to come here, but it was always my own decision. I didn’t feel I had to come here because he was here. It was my own decision to come here.”
Coming off three OCAA championships, Saints’ manager Roberto Duncan is happy to add two high-end recruits as his program looks to fill holes due to graduation.
“We are excited to have Carter and Andy join our team,” Duncan said. “Not only are they great local talent, but they’re hardworking and dedicated players.
“Carter’s fastball sits in the mid-80’s and we project we will improved before our during our season. Like his brother, (Carter) has great control of his pitches and a great presence on the mound.
“Andy brings decent speed, a lot of power and good defence to our infield. He has an athletic frame and we believe he will do great things for us this coming season.”
Both players hope to contribute on the field this season and just as important help the Saints remain an OCAA powerhouse.
“Really excited to just play because they’ve won championship after championship and I’m excited to get after it and see if we can win another,” Knelsen said.
jpparker@postmedia.com
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