05/16/2026
❗️ #5, Gabe❗️Sometimes, athletics and art come together excitingly and explosively. A rim-rattling dunk. A tape-measure home run. A one-handed reception for a touchdown.
Gabriel Matteau Jr is a pitcher-first baseman for the 11U BillyGoats White Travel Baseball Team, and he seems to be perfecting the combination of Athletics and Art.
“He spends a lot of time in his room doing artwork,” his mother Jessica said. “He is a very good artist.”
He is also a very good baseball player. Gabe was brought onto the 11U Billygoats White after he was invited to tryouts for the 2026 Spring Season and has made a tremendous impact on the team. As a left-handed pitcher, he throws a fastball, change-up, and is working on a curve and slider. He is an excellent fielder of his position, pitcher or first baseman, and has a very high baseball IQ.
“Even though this is Gabe’s first season as a Billy Goat, it feels like his time with us has been for much longer,” head coach Vince Carignan said. “Gabe is a terrific pitcher who, at a young age, has figured out how important it is for a pitcher to be able to change speeds and keep hitters off balance. It is always a pleasure being able to watch Gabe compete on the field, and he has, without a doubt, helped our team reach a new level of greatness by becoming such a great addition to our pitching staff.”
Gabe is also quite adept in the classroom. He is an A student at Country Hills Elementary School and contributes lots of art to the school. And as good as he is in baseball, his artwork is just as important. Whenever he receives a game ball from his game performance, he draws on the ball to make it much more than a baseball. It becomes a statement about his interest in baseball and art.
“Gabriel is an outstanding child both on and off the field,” Jessica said. “He is incredibly creative. He has a very kind spirit, humble demeanor, and a calm, focused presence about him. One thing I always remind him is that his dreams can absolutely become his reality—and we’re already starting to see that unfold. As a lefty on the mound, he brings something special, and I couldn’t be prouder of the young man he
