Two champions, 1 community

GROSSE POINTES — Four miles.

As Grosse Pointe South (21-13) traveled to Grosse Pointe North (17-7) to take on its community rival in the first round of districts, the 4 miles that separated the schools showcased two champions.

South, the 2022 Macomb Area Conference-Red champions, and North, the 2022 MAC-White champions, may sport different colors when on the field, but they represent the same community when off the field.

North beat South 9-2 at Grosse Pointe North High School May 28, and while North will advance in hopes of a state title, both schools can hold their heads high.

“It’s really a credit to our kids; we won this with kids from our community,” South coach Dan Griesbaum said. “It’s a great accomplishment for North, for South, and for the community.”

As a substantial crowd made its way to the bleachers, North fans on the left and South fans on the right, family and friends wished “good luck” to one another, and students from each school conversed.

It had a small-town feel, and it was a lively crowd throughout the entirety of the game.

“It speaks to the quality of the kids’ impact on baseball. Baseball is a big fabric to the Grosse Pointe Community,” North coach Kevin Shubnell said. “It’s not just a talent; they love baseball, and it’s a testament to the community and the parents we have here.”

Shubnell said the implications were beyond a win-or-go-home matchup.

“I think there’s not much to be said when it’s North-South baseball,” Shubnell said. “The community may not remember who won the MAC-Red or White, but they’re going to remember who won the pre-district matchup and who got the better in the North-South game.”

South came out of the gate playing well with an early 2-0 lead and had an opportunity to extend it, but North made an early call to the bullpen that would be the game-deciding move.

Junior Jordan Arseneau entered the game with a runner on first and third with no outs, but none of that seemed to faze him.

“I just try to keep them off balance; I work at a fast pace,” Arseneau said. “I just like to play at my pace and control the game.”

Collecting a strikeout and double play, Arseneau in the first inning gave a glimpse of the way that he would pitch for the remainder of the game, tossing seven shutout innings in the win.

Sophomores Brennan Hill and Rocco Cardinale got North going in the third with back-to-back singles, and a line shot up the middle by senior Parker O’Neill would put North within striking distance.

South would control a 2-1 lead into the fourth inning, but a leadoff single from Hill would start a game-changing rally.

After a walk put runners on first and second, a grounder back to the pitcher turned into an RBI fielder’s choice after South’s pitcher was off target on the double play opportunity.

A full-momentum swing in North’s favor led to another single by junior Drew Hill as North loaded the bases.

“We talked about it all year, facing the adversity, and the adversity was overcoming those two runs early,” Shubnell said. “We just kept battling and grinding.”

With two outs and runners on the move, senior Jake Tedesco sent a high fly ball into left field. As the South left fielder looked to camp under it, the ball landed to his right, turning into a bases-clearing triple and a 6-2 lead for North.

Arseneau added an RBI single to his dominant pitching performance while Drew Hill blasted a two-run home run in the seventh to finish the scoring.

South ends its season 21-13 with a league title and an array of talent departing in seniors Jonathan Drake, Alex Tigges, River Kraus and Robbie Leonard.

Leonard, Tigges and Drake will play in the MAC-OAA All-Star Game at Jimmy John’s Field June 21.

North continues its chase for a state title after winning the District 22 championship and outscoring its opponents 19-2 in its last two games.

North was to open regionals against Warren De La Salle Collegiate June 8 at Grosse Pointe North High School, after press time.