Governor's Teams
Athletics at The Governor’s Academy is about outstanding performance- as our championship titles, college NCAA scholarship players, and world competitors will attest- but it is also about character.
Select Another Team
Team Profile
Baseball - Boys Varsity
ISL League Championships: 2016, 2013
As one of the first sports played at the oldest boarding school in New England, America’s pastime has a long and rich history at The Governor’s Academy. Since the 1870s, over one hundred and fifty baseball teams have represented the Academy, playing with passion and poise. Team culture is focused on selflessness, respect, and cohesion with an atmosphere that balances competitiveness and fun. Players are motivated and relentless in pursuing their personal, academic, and athletic goals at the Academy and care as much about their teammates’ success as they do their own.
A well-maintained, natural-grass field, Navins Field offers players and fans an outstanding venue for practices and home games. The infield was resurfaced in the fall of 2022, and the outfield is mowed at least two times per week. Throughout the fall and winter seasons, players have access to indoor and outdoor batting cages and pitching facilities on campus. Student-athletes regularly utilize the Alfond Fitness Center and Pescosolido Field House for lifting, speed training, and out-of-season skill development. Staffed by two full-time athletic trainers, the state-of-the-art sports medicine facility allows players to receive personalized attention and rehabilitation daily. The baseball program also employs state-of-the-art training aids including Core Velocity Belts, plyo balls for throwing and hitting, radar guns, and access to Trackman pitching and hitting data for informed and effective training.
The baseball season begins with a trip to warmer climates during March Break, where the team builds camaraderie while soaking up some sunshine. With ample training time, scrimmages, and team-building activities, the team returns to campus prepared for the busy spring lineup. From April to late May, the team takes the mound six days per week including at least two games. In terms of competition, Govs is a member of the Independent School League (ISL), one of New England’s premier high school athletic conferences consisting of sixteen teams. From the top of the league to the bottom, the ISL is known for incredibly high-level baseball, with a half dozen or more 90-mph pitchers, future college players, and deep lineups across the board. In addition to their fifteen league match-ups, Govs takes the field against top local programs including Phillips Andover, Phillips Exeter, and Winchendon.
Through the years, generations of Govs graduates have taken their baseball careers past Byfield to Division I, II, and III collegiate levels as well as the professional leagues. In recent years, alums have chosen Boston College, Bowdoin College, Brown University, Johns Hopkins University, Northeastern University, Skidmore College, and the University of Richmond. Derek Falvey ‘01 is currently the President of Baseball Operations for the Minnesota Twins.
For more information, please reach out to: Head Coach James Baker
Alums in Action:
Kellan Heney ‘23 – University of Richmond
Aiden Sengenberger ‘23 – Stonehill College
Jack Julian ‘22 – Babson College
Jack Levine ‘22 – The United States Naval Academy
Aidan Cann ‘20 – University of Massachusetts Amherst
Zach Clough ‘20 – Saint Anselm College
Jared Dupere ‘18 – Northeastern University
Shane Smith ‘18 – Wake Forest University
Coaches
Coach Profiles
Head Coach: James Baker Before joining Governor’s, James Baker served as Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for Colby College’s baseball team. Over three seasons, he helped coach 15 NESCAC All-Conference players, 7 Rawlings All-Region players, the Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2022), NESCAC Player of the Year (2024) and a 1st team All American (2024). During this past season, the Mules were recognized nationally as a Top 25 Program and were selected to the NCAA Regionals.
James graduated from Wheaton College in Norton, MA where he played baseball for four years and served as captain of the team that played in the 2006 Division 3 College World Series. Also in 2006, Baker was named to the NEWMAC Conference All League Team, the ECAC All-League Team, the NEIBA All-Region Team and All-Star Game at Fenway Park and the All-New England Team. After graduation, Baker signed with the Nashua Pride, a professional baseball team in the Can-Am League and began his professional career as a relief pitcher. After one season, Baker signed with the San Diego Padres and went to minor league spring training in 2007. He finished his career with the Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association in 2012 after compiling a 2.49 ERA and helping the team to the League Championship Series.
Following his playing days, James founded North Shore Performance Training in Danvers, Massachusetts working with youth, high school, college and professional athletes. Today Baker is a Co-Owner and Performance Coach at Sports Performance North, where he focuses on athlete development, with a specialization in baseball players. His expertise includes pitching development, and he is actively involved in leading local sports clinics, camps, as well as providing athlete and team consulting services.Baker lives in Boxford with his wife Charlene and two boys; Brock (6) and Jackson (5).
Assistant Coach: Brandon Lopez ’15
A four-year starter and ISL MVP in both football and baseball, Brandon Lopez ’15 returned to Byfield in 2022 to coach. Lopez received the prestigious schoolwide Goodwin Athletic Prize for his overall athletic achievement and commitment to sportsmanship. After graduating from Govs, Lopez took his athletic and academic aspirations to Bowdoin College. A pitcher and fielder for the Polar Bears, he earned All-NESCAC honors and majored in Sociology.
Assistant Coach: Patrick Austin