Joey Levesque a Baseball Star

Joey Levesque, a 12-year-old standout baseball player, helped lead his team to finish third in the state in the Cal Ripken Tournament last weekend.  A competitive player in multiple leagues, Levesque and his in town team, lead by his father Coach Gary Levesque, went undefeated this spring. In addition, the soon-to-be eighth grader won the home run derby this Fourth of July weekend.

“He just loves baseball, and he and all his teammates really had a great run,” said Gary Levesque, of his team’s stint in the State Tournament. “Last year we lost two in a row and were eliminated early, so to have three straight wins, and our two losses were by one run; the kids just competed great. It was a great tournament, and we’re all very proud.”

Throughout the state tournament, Joey Levesque switched off between playing shortstop and pitcher. He made some key plays and contributed to many clutch outs at the shortstop position. In the three games he pitched, Levesque made 33 strikeouts, and only allowed four walks. Until the last inning of the last game against Burlington, he didn’t give up any earned runs in the tournament.

 Gary Levesque said Joey does well at both positions, but he is still working to improve his skills. Currently, pitching seems to be Joey Levesque’s primary role on the field, and shortstop is his alternate position.

“It might be [his best position] right now, but next year they go onto the big diamond, and then who knows if he’ll be a pitcher or shortstop or what,” said Gary Levesque, referring to the fact that the older kids play on a larger field, requiring pitchers to stand farther from home plate, and other players in the field to be more spaced out. 

In addition to rounding out the season with a respectable third place finish, Levesque dominated the in town league.

“In town, we had a special season as well. We went undefeated this year, [marking] the first time in 20 years a team has gone undefeated. And, we won the in town championship, so that was a big deal for Joey, and for his dad as well,” said Gary Levesque, who was the coach of the in-town league Marlins.

In the in town league, Levesque made 126 strikeouts, and just five players walked when batting against him.  He also led the league in home runs, knocking four balls out of the park this season.

“Since he’s been in little league as a 10, 11, and 12 year old, his overall batting average is .560. He’s done well,” said Gary Levesque.

Joey Levesque has quite the impressive resume for a 12-year-old. Not only did he have an incredible season this spring in regular games, he also is the reigning champ of the Chelmsford Home Run Derby. After finishing second as an 11-year-old, Joey Levesque entered the competition ready to win this year, and his efforts paid off.

 Although Levesque has one more year of middle school, he hopes to play baseball, and possibly basketball, for the Lions once he goes to Chelmsford High. Until then, he will compete on an AAU baseball team.

Levesque and his teammates have been playing together since they were just little kids. The bond that they have formed has helped them to become confident baseball players, and great friends as well.

“He’s been with these guys since t-ball when he was five years old. He just loves it,” said Gary Levesque. “They will probably be friends for life, and that and all the memories; that’s the most important thing for sure.”