by Max Edelman
North Shore 4, Seaford 0
WP: Matt Nochawitz (CG 1 hit Shutout, 1 BB, 6 Ks)Gavin Goss 2 for 2, double, 2 RBI
Gavin Butler 2 for 3
Matt Ryan 1 for 3, RBI Double pic.twitter.com/Oq0ckwHVYw— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 29, 2022
A new season for the North Shore Vikings comes with a brand new head coach. After serving as an assistant for the Vikings for the past several seasons, new head coach Robert Gates is now stepping up into the role of head coach. Following a 7-11 campaign that saw the Vikings fail to make the playoffs, Gates and the Vikings are looking ahead to the new challenges that await them in 2024. Matt Nochowitz, who was All-County last year, as well as All-Conference as a junior, is now pitching at SUNY Cortland.
“He had a great season as a senior.” Gates said. “He pitched awesome, he swung the bat well. He was a team leader so he’s definitely going to be a key guy to replace.”
North Shore also lost starting pitcher Gavin Butler, infielder Jayden Rosario, and catcher/DH Sean Maldanado. All three of them graduated after the 2023 season.
The biggest positive for the Vikings is the players that are those who are returning for them this season. While they did lose a key pitcher as well as important pieces to their lineup, the Vikings were able to retain both middle infielders, as well as many of their middle-of-the-lineup guys.
“We returned the middle of the order, as well as the middle of the diamond on defense.” Gates said. “So that is definitely going to be the strength of our team.”
The middle of the order last year consisted of center fielder, NJIT commit and 2023 All-Conference member Garret Gates, who also features as a pitcher for the Vikings. Last season, Gates hit .330 and batted at the top of the order. He also stole 13 bases for the Vikings as well.
Garret Gates delivers a pitch against Wantagh on May 5th, 2023
“He’s a hard throwing lefty with three big time above average pitches.” Gates said. “He’s consistently sitting mid 80s, he’s even flirted with upper 80s. He’s been in the rotation since 10th grade, so we now expect an even bigger season from Garret on the mound.”
Catcher and Adelphi commit Matthew Ryan is back for his senior season with the Vikings as well.
“He’s a big, 6’2” 210 power-hitting catcher,” Gates said. “He’s tremendous defensively, he hit three home runs as a junior. And he threw out 40% of base stealers last season as well. He also hit .275 last year.”
North Shore 10
Island Trees 4W- Gavin Butler, 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 K
Matt Ryan, 2 for 4 HR, 2 RBI
Jayden Rosario, 3 for 4, 1 run
Garret Gates, 2 for 4, 2 RBI, 3 SB pic.twitter.com/KI1utgCWlw— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 11, 2023
Gates praised both Garret Gates and Ryan’s ability to be the senior leaders for the team, as well as two of the most impactful players on the Vikings in 2024.
“As a coach, you couldn’t ask for harder working seniors and role models.” Gates said. “For me as a first year coach, I’m thrilled to have this whole senior class, along with Garret and Matt. They’re hard working, they have a great attitude, and it’s a big senior class.”
Junior Ryan Lau, an All-League recipient a year ago, was the Vikings starting third baseman in 2023. For his junior season, Lau is moving left, from third to short. Lau hit .330 with 10 RBI’s his sophomore season.
“[Lau] played tremendous defense at third base last season.” Gates said. “So he’s going to slide over and return as our shortstop. For this year.”
Along with Gates and Ryan, 13 total seniors are going to be on the North Shore team in 2024.
“A lot of the seniors who didn’t play key roles last year.” Gates said. “But now it’s their turn. I’m really happy with all the work these returners have put in.”
One of the many seniors is Gary Leschinski, who both pitches and plays outfield for the Vikings. Gates praised Leschinski for the improvements Leschinski made over this past offseason and expects Leschinski to be a key piece in both the outfield, as well as on the mound.
OF Gary Leschinski (North Shore 2024) with a 79 MPH throw home pic.twitter.com/3XIw3XFJ6S
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 21, 2023
Other notable players are Justin Rosen, who can play anywhere and is a key piece to the team due to his versatility. Trevor Miller, played time in the infield last season as a sophomore and could look for an increased role there for his junior season. Senior left-hand pitcher Raymond Scalzo allowed only one run in six appearances out of the pen for the Vikings last year and could see an increased role this season.
Brand new to the varsity team this year is Mateo Rincon, who pitches and plays outfield and could play his way into a key role with the team this season as well.
When discussing his team’s biggest strength, Gates once against addressed the leadership his older players bring to the table, setting a positive example for his team both on and off the field.
“I think the strength for this team is the seniors and the leadership they provide.” Gates said. “One of the things we talk about from day one is a tighter team unit and a tighter team culture. In my first year as head coach, that’s one big thing I’ve been stressing. And this group of seniors has done a great job of that so far.”
The North Shore Vikings will open their non league schedule with a non-league game against Herricks in March. 25. And the Vikings will open their league play in April. 9 against Island Trees.
