Pereira earns Gatorade Idaho baseball honor

Coeur d'Alene High senior Levi Pereira has been named Gatorade Idaho Player of the Year in baseball.

Pereira, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound outfielder who has signed with Gonzaga, hit .559 with six home runs, 43 RBIs, 38 runs scored and 18 doubles for the Vikings, runners-up at the state 5A tournament. He batted .750 (15 for 20) with five doubles, four home runs and 12 RBIs in five postseason (regional and state tournament) games.

A 3.90 student, Pereira has volunteered locally on behalf of the Salvation Army and a homeless shelter, in addition to serving as an elected member of his school's student council.

"Levi Pereira's ability to perform under pressure is spectacular," Coeur d'Alene baseball coach Nick Rook said in a news release. "His teammates consistently look to him for leadership in crucial situations. His intangibles as a player are off the charts and his savvy for the game is uncoachable. I would rate his overall skills among the top five percent of the players I have coached at both the high school and collegiate levels."