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PBR Michigan Division 1 Team Of The Week - Grosse Point North

GROSSE POINTE - A doubleheader sweep of defending state champion and cross-town rival Grosse Pointe South completed an outstanding week of baseball for Grosse Pointe North and with it goes the honor of being the Prep Baseball Report Division I Team of the Week.

An 8-0 start to the season has first-year head coach David Martin excited about what lies ahead this season.

“I’m an old college coach,” Martin said. :”This is my first year coaching high school and the kids are responding well. The pitching has been outstanding.”

A team ERA of 0.41 prior to a 9-5 win over South in game one Saturday is proof of that.

“Our starting pitching has been fantastic, they’re pitching ahead of hitters,” Martin explained. “I’m a big pitch and defense guy and the kids have responded to that. A good baseball IQ is also important if you want to play at a high level.”

But to date, pitching has been the key.

Sophomore left-hander Nic Good (Video) is 3-0 with seniors Nick David, a southpaw, and Jack Kensora, a right-hander committed to Northwood, other starting hurlers. Good is the 40th-ranked 2021 in the state.

Chad Lorkowski, a 6-5 225-pound St. Xavier commit rated 53rd among seniors in Michigan, has moved to the role of closer this season and “doing a great job in pressure situations.” according to Martin. Louis Cardinale, an Albion College recruit, is another reliever for North.

A DH when not on the mound, Lorkowski came on in relief of Good with the bases loaded to record a strikeout for the final out in Saturday’s 2-0 second-game victory over South.

The one-two hitters in the lineup have stood out for North, which beat Detroit Edison and Farmington last week prior to the Saturday sweep of South. Ryan Shanley, a left-handed hitting senior center fielder, is batting .391 at leadoff.

“He’s been fantastic,” Martin said of the uncommitted 2019. “His bat jump-starts the team.”

Matt Mazzola hits in the two-hole and leads the team in batting with a .571 average.

“He sets everything up and is a good bunter as well,” Martin said of the senior shortstop, a right-handed hitter who moved over from second base a year ago. “He’s a big clutch guy for us in the right situations.”

Martin points to a third player as key to the team’s success - Dominic VanDoorne.

“He’s one of the best high school catchers I’ve seen,” Martin said of the senior captain. “He basically shuts down running games. He’s got a rocket for an arm.”

A big week is ahead featuring a weekend series with Lake Orion.

“It’s about staying disciplined,” Martin said in regard to the keys to keeping the success going after the strong start. “They say a team takes on the personality of the coach and I take it seriously.

“We have a goal,” Martin continued. “We have a lot of talent and we’re strong up the middle. We need to keep the arms healthy and keep our baseball IQ up. It’s the little things that will make a big difference.

“I want the kids to ultimately see the game differently. It’s about a mission, focus, a dream, a vision and hope. At the end of the day, we want to keep this thing rolling.”