Legion Baseball Team Closes Successful Season

Malden Catholic’s Paul Covelle led the Legion baseball team in every offensive category.

– Allison Goldsberry

The Medford Post 45 American Legion baseball team ended its playoff run with a heartbreaking 10-9 loss to top-seeded Billerica on Wednesday. Despite leading 7-1 and 8-4 at points during the game, Billerica kept the pressure on and broke a 9-9 tie in the fifth with what ended up being the game-winning sac fly, said coach Ryan Kozul.

“We had our opportunities to take a double digit lead in the 3rd inning, but we let Billerica off the hook and they took advantage of it. We knew going in that they were a very good offensive team and they proved it during their comeback,” said Kozul.

Malden Catholic’s Paul Covelle was 3-4 with three runs scored, Medford High School’s Pat Duffy was 2-4 with a home run and two RBI’s, and Suffolk University’s James McConville added three hits and two RBI’s.

Despite the loss Kozul said he is proud of the season and the effort put forth from his team.

“All in all, I’m thrilled with our season. The players on this team put Medford Legion baseball back on the map,” said Kozul. “We had a lot of success against some great competition that included multiple D1 and D2 college players and even a New York Yankee draft pick. During the regular season and the playoffs, we proved we belonged with the best teams in the league and the players deserve a lot of credit for that.”

Coach Kozul also praised the team for its talent and skill.

“The thing I’m most proud of is how many times umpires and opposing coaches complimented the team as a whole for our talent level and the way we played the game. This group was a pleasure to coach, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” said Kozul.

According to Kozul, Covelle led the team in every offensive category. He hit .537 with four home runs, nineteen RBI’s, and twenty-four runs scored.

“In my opinion, he proved beyond a doubt that he is one of the best hitters and players in the area,” said Kozul.

Other offensive stars during the season were Duffy, Belmont Hill’s Nolan Brennan, and Arlington Catholic’s Ryan Carvalho. Brennan and Medford High’s Chris Salvati and John Lavoie all contributed “great pitching” throughout the season.

Medford High graduate Kyle Heath also provided some solid defense.

“Defensively, [Kyle] Heath was really the glue that held the team together for most of the year. He played every position on the diamond except shortstop and performed well everywhere I put him,” said Coach Kozul.

Kozul, who also serves as an assistant baseball coach at Medford High, credits Mustangs Duffy, Lavoie, and Mike Pizzi for showing a lot of growth and for holding their own against some very tough competition this summer.

“It’s exciting to see where they are now after watching them get their first taste of varsity action just 3 months ago,” said Kozul. “If they continue to work hard in the offseason with the rest of the very talented returners and younger players that we have coming back at the high school, the future of Medford High Baseball will be very bright.”