By Mike Penn
Michigan Director of Scouting

The University of Detroit Cubs are off to a fast start in 2013.  They now sit 6-1 on the year and currently rank No. 9 in our Team Power Rankings .  But the fast start was expected by head coach Jim Mancuso.

With five  returning to the Cubs, including Michigan commits TJ Shook and Harrison Wenson, Mancuso had high hopes coming into the year. "Shook and Wenson are both tremendous workers. Both guys are valuable assets to our team and our program not just because of their talent but also because of their leadership."

The Cubs also return Liam Teevens, a toolsy outfielder who will also pitch, and Conrad Kovalcik who committed to North Carolina Central. Other impact players for U of D are sophomore Chris Houle who made an impact defensively last season and should see more time this year, and Gordon Fisher, a 6-foot-3, 155-pound junior shortstop.   

True to form Shook and Wenson have been the driving factors thus far.  Wenson had two homeruns, a solo blast and a grand slam, against rival Orchard Lake St. Mary's.  Shook has had double digit strikeout performances from the mound.  

They have swept Divine Child, De La Salle, and Edsel Ford.  The only blemish on their record was against St. Mary's losing 8-4.

As for now the Cubs sit atop the Catholic League standings and seem to be poised to retain the position but first they will have to get through a tough Brother Rice team tonight.