Athlete of the Month: Jack Davis

Posted on February 5, 2025 by The Dunmorean

***Jack Davis is shown after being awarded with the Freach-Keen in memory of P.J. Freach and Buddy Keen, two Moosic Little League baseball players who tragically died in 1973.***

Saint Mary’s student honored with Freach-Keen Memorial Award

By Steve Svetovich

Jack Davis, 12, a four-sport athlete and student at Saint Mary’s of Mount Carmel Elementary School, Dunmore, was honored recently with the Freach-Keen Memorial Award.

The District award is in memory of P.J. Freach and Buddy Keen, two former Moosic Little League baseball players, who tragically died in 1973.

A member of the Dunmore Little League this past summer, Jack was chosen as the recipient of the Freach-Keen Award by the individual leagues. He was chosen due to his dedication to Little League baseball and his sportsmanship throughout his Little League career.

He was an all-star second baseman in the Dunmore Little League where he graduated last summer. Jack is a three-time Little League all-star. He plans on playing Teener League this summer.

Jack is also a point guard and leading scorer on the Saint Mary’s basketball team. In addition, he excels as a cross country runner.

Son of Robert and Abbey Davis, Jack is in the sixth grade at Saint Mary’s of Mount Carmel Elementary School, Dunmore.

“It felt really nice to win the Freach-Keen Award,” the humble sixth grader said. “I’m thankful for getting it. It’s a really cool honor.”

Jack also plays soccer in the Green Ridge/Dunmore soccer league at Dunmore’s Sherwood Park.

Jack played for Lenahan and Dempsey in the Dunmore Little League. His coach was Mike Schulte. “He taught me to trust myself.”

***Jack Davis was an all-star second baseman in the Dunmore Little League where he graduated last summer. A three-time Little League all-star, Jack plans on playing Teener League this summer.***

The standout student-athlete said he enjoyed playing on the Dunmore Little League all-star baseball team. “We were pretty good. We went pretty far and it was fun.”

Jack’s basketball coach at Saint Mary’s is Pat Burke. “He tells us to hustle all the time and have a good attitude.”

The Freach-Keen award winner said his favorite sports teams are the Philadelphia Phillies, Eagles, and 76ers.

He likes Eagles running back Saquon Barkley and is a big fan of Phillies shortstop Trea Turner.

Jack’s favorite sports are baseball, basketball and soccer.

Jack said it takes “a lot of hard work” to excel as a second baseman in baseball.

He said his parents teach him to “be nice to people.”

Jack said he is enjoying running the point guard position for Saint Mary’s biddy basketball team and running cross country for the school.

“With grades in the mid 90s, Jack is on the honor roll at Saint Mary’s of Mount Carmel.

His future goals reflect his personality. “I want to keep my grades up and just be a good person,” he said.

Luke Dempsey is strong leader for Dunmore 11-year-old all-stars

Posted on July 5, 2023 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Dunmore Elementary School student Luke Dempsey is proving to be a leader and key member of the Dunmore Little League 11-year-old all-star team.

Luke, who is actually still 10, went 2-for-2 with 4 RBIs to lead Dunmore to a 22-0 win over Old Forge/South Scranton in District 17, 9-11 all-star baseball action Friday, June 23.

He hit two singles driving in two runs on each base hit.

Ben Dempsey, his cousin, and Brady Schulte each had two hits and 3 RBIs for Dunmore.

Adam Grecco allowed only one hit and struck out five to earn the pitching win.

Son of Atty. Mike and Caressa Dempsey, Dunmore, Luke has an older brother Michael who is a former Dunmore Little League all-star and currently plays junior high school baseball at Dunmore.

Luke is the first baseman and cleanup hitter for his all-star team.

He talked about what it takes to be a good first baseman. “You need to be able to catch the ball and make a real good stretch,” he said. “And you need to talk on the field to your teammates.”

A serious and hard-working ball player, Luke had a robust .615 batting average during the regular Little League season. He hit two doubles, a triple and added 20 RBIs.

Hitting is not something he takes for granted. “You become a good hitter with a lot of hard work,” he said. “It’s also very important to always have fun.”

Amazingly, Luke did not strikeout in 40 at bats during the regular Little League season or in the first all-star game.

He plays travel ball for The Sandlot Baseball Academy.

His all-star coaches are Brian McCarthy, Ralph Steeves, and Pat Clark.

“My coaches always teach me to play hard and hustle,” he said.

Luke said he has learned a lot from his parents.

“They teach me to have fun and run hard all the time. Run everything out. And no crying.

“There is no crying in baseball.”

Polite and earnest, Luke said he enjoyed playing in the first all-star game of the season. “It was very exciting and a lot of fun,” he said. “We played under the lights.”

Luke said he also enjoys listening to music and likes rap artist “Da Baby.”

Luke is 5-1 and bats and throws right. A contact hitter all the way, Luke said he loves playing baseball and living in Dunmore.

“We have great coaches, great facilities and the best people.”

Dunmore Pony League Team Wins Big in Championship Game

Posted on August 4, 2021 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Memories are often created by youngsters on a baseball diamond.

Take the case of the Ackourey and Turel Pony League team in the Dunmore Little League.

This group of youngsters came into the Dunmore Pony League Tournament as underdogs this past June 27.

Coached by Mark Levendoski, the boys had a 12-5 regular season record entering the Pony League Tournament. The team defeated Eastern Residential Solutions 6-2 in the first round of the playoffs. Then after a bye, the team faced the undefeated 3 Jacks Bar and Grill in the championship game. The 3 Jacks team was 16-0 and the favorite coming into the game.

But the Ackourey and Turel Pony League team, a group of youngsters between 6 and 8, rose to the occasion and easily beat the favored team, 16-2, to capture the Dunmore Pony League championship.

“I can’t even single one player out,” said coach Levandoski. “Every player on our team had multiple hits. They kept hitting and hitting. It is just a great group of kids who all get along with each other. They are all students at Dunmore Elementary Center.”

Levandoski is assisted by coaches Mike Coleman, Chris Bantell, Ashley Lancia and Luke Coleman, a former college baseball pitcher.

“It is coach-pitch, so our kids really rocked Luke Coleman, a former college baseball pitcher, who was pitching to them,” said Levandoski, a 1998 Dunmore High School graduate who works for Schiff’s Food Service, Taylor. “We were kidding him about that.”

“The kids were all excited after we won. They were presented with medals and all had pizza at the field after winning the games. It was an all day tournament. They really enjoyed it.”

Levandoski said most of the youngsters will be playing fall baseball in Dunmore starting in early September. “They are looking forward to it already,” he said.

This was Levandoski’s second year coaching the team. He has been involved in the program for the past five years.

“All of the kids played great during the tournament,” Levandoski said. “They were all hitting and making the plays. These kids are all friends in school. They are all good kids and love playing the game. They get along well.”

Levandoski said the kids were so excited after winning the championship that they poured water all over him. “Yes, I was soaked. But it was all good. The kids were happy and having fun.”

Team members include Marcus Levandoski, Michael Coleman, Jack Coleman, Kate Coleman, Connor Sciartilli, Brady McCarthy, Hunter Smolskis, Carter Bantell, George Siracuse, James Archer and Hannah Scanlon.

The graduating members are Marcus Levandoski, Connor Sciartilli, Hunter Smolskis and Michael and Jack Coleman.

“The graduating players kind of led the way for us this year,” said Levandoski. “They got us going.”

Levandoski said the graduating players will go on and play in the Dunmore Minor League which consists of 9-10-year-old youngsters. After Minor League, the kids progress to the Dunmore Little League.

“These kids will just keep on playing and having fun,” he said.