PORTSMOUTH — The recruiting process took 24 months. 

The first email was sent in June of 2021. The first conversation with a college coach took place in July of 2021. Two years later, the hard work finally paid off.

Portsmouth High School rising senior catcher and co-captain of the baseball team, Nick Spaner, has committed to play Division 1 baseball at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass.

“I feel much more relaxed now that I have a home,” Spaner said. “Holy Cross: the great education, the high-level baseball. I love the coaching staff and their mindset and philosophy. I think it’s a school that will challenge me in a healthy way and will lead to a good degree and development as a person and a player.” Spaner said.

Though the process works differently for every player being recruited to play college baseball, Spaner’s process was certainly a more lengthy path. All of the metrics were there: 6-foot, 3 inches tall, 195 pounds, sub-2 second pop time, 6.86 second 60-yard time. It just took a little bit longer.

And as the saying goes, you will know when it’s right.

“I had a few offers before and they didn’t feel right. I liked the atmosphere as soon as I got there (Holy Cross).”

A lot of people helped guide him along the way during the process. Spaner was very thankful for one coach in particular.

“Coach (Matt) McGuire at Portsmouth helped me through the whole process. He coached me on and off the field and was always supportive which I’m very grateful for and appreciative of. Thanks also to coach (Ryan) Long, coach (Jon) Lewis, and coach (Ryan) Swarz for believing in me,” he said.

He also credits his summer organization, the Ocean State Makos and coach Derick Machado and coach Ryan Westmoreland, for all of their guidance and coaching throughout the past four years.

Spaner finds great joy in Holy Cross being close to Portsmouth.

“Being close to home, to have the same support that I have now … tt’s cool because my family can come watch me and I can come visit easily.”

Portsmouth High School now has a Division 1 pitcher-and-catcher battery that has been together since they were 6 years old — the pitcher being good friend and Boston College commit John Mass, the catcher being Spaner.

Spaner will bring a strong skillset with him to “The Hill” in the fall of 2024. He hits for average (over .400 for the high school season) and for power. He runs exceptionally well and even more so for his position. He actually received interest from four college track programs as well and is closing in on a PHS indoor track school record in the 300 meters, where he currently holds down second place.