DeMartin brings stability to Grand Island baseball

by Eric Keppeler
Grand Island Dispatch, May 11, 2007

Grand Island shortstop Neal DeMartin tags out Kenmore West’s Louie Spina at second base during a 7-0 win b y the Vikings Monday. GI pitcher Matt Klock held the Blue Devils to just three hits on the afternoon. (photo by Larry Austin)

Neal DeMartin has made quite an impression.

In his first year up on the varsity baseball team, the Grand Island junior has cracked the starting lineup, batted right around .400 for the season, and he anchors the infield defensively at shortstop.

DeMartin says that whether it’s varsity or JV, the principles remain the same. You still have to hit, field and throw.

“It’s really not that different,” DeMartin said. “I’m still going up against most of the kids I’ve been playing against in JV for the past two years. I still just go out and do the best I can.”

DeMartin started the season at second base, but about a week ago, Vikings coach Dean Santorio decided to switch his middle infielders. DeMartin slid over to short, while sophomore Chris Podlucky moved to second, and the switch has paid off for both players.

“Neal has been our most sure-handed infielder,” Santorio said. “He’s got soft hands and he’s been fantastic at the plate He’s our No. 2 hitter and a good contact hitter. For a junior to be able to do what he’s done this year is a big boost for us.”

DeMartin says that it didn’t take long to become accustomed to his new teammates once he hit the varsity squad. Especially once he proved that he could play, he quickly felt like he belonged and was treated accordingly.

“The older kids have been great,” DeMartin said. “They bring you right in and make you feel right at home.”

The junior shortstop has been a bright spot for the Vikings in an inconsistent season.

Grand Island is 6-5 overall and 5-5 in the Niagara Frontier League. Three of the losses were by one run, and the other two defeats were to league-leading powerhouse Niagara-Wheatfield.

And in two of the one-run losses, the Viking bats were silenced. In the third, they were betrayed by shoddy defense. So to a man, the Vikings feel they’re much better than their record indicates.

“I think we’re all pretty frustrated,” Santorio said. “In two of the losses, we just couldn’t hit, and in another one we booted the ball around. So our record could be a lot better, but that’s baseball. You’ve got to be consistent.”

At the very least, playing the tough league schedule should have the Vikings battle tested and ready when the sectional playoffs start later this month.

Grand Island doesn’t figure to see anyone scarier than what the Vikings have already seen this season. And the players like their chances.

“We’re going to be real competitive,” DeMartin said. “Playing four or five times a week against the teams in this league will have us really ready when sectionals start.”

Heading into the final week of the regular season, Grand Island is at North Tonawanda at 4:45 p.m. Monday. The Vikings host Kenmore East at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday and close out at Lewiston-Porter at 6 p.m. Thursday. The sectional playoffs begin the following week.