Last year’s Eastern A final matched 12th-ranked Skowhegan against sixth-seeded Cony. If this year’s tournament is that volatile, there could be just as many surprises. Skowhegan should be a threat once again while Hampden and Bangor appear to be among the top squads in the KVAC North. Cony should be a force again in the South.

Lewiston could be ready to make a move after going 7-9. The Blue Devils return seven starters including seniors pitcher Danielle Willey, catcher Maria Labbe and shortstop Samantha Morency. Edward Little could be improved as well with nine regular back. Alyssa Levesque and Kim Lawrence share the pitching duties. Alice Read, Megan Hussar, Kayla Cummings, Becca Witten, Jena Dubois, Michelle Peaco and Shayna Johnson all saw starting time last year.

Leavitt and Oxford Hills should be younger teams. The Hornets have just five returning players. Paige Dyer handles the pitching while Heidi Swett, Kat Rothe and Liz Sabine return to the infield. Megan Miller returns to the outfield. The Vikings only returning regulars are Teira Durgin, EmmyLou Blake, Kristi Springer, Megan Gauger and Mindy Rugg. Kristy Jurczak and Gauger share the pitching.

Mt. Blue only returns four players from a club that won 11 games – seniors Amelia Allen and Niki Grant, junior Johanna Laplant and sophomore Kelly Yardley. Junior Katrina Campbell and sophomore Jenna Williams will pitch.

Class B

Winslow will be the favorite in Eastern B, shooting for its fourth regional title in five years. Fryeburg, Lake Region and the two-time defending regional champs from Cape Elizabeth could be among the teams to watch in the West. Oak Hill, Lisbon and Maranacook could all return to the playoffs.

Oak Hill, which finished 9-9 last year, boasts three pitchers in Brittany Wood, Lauren Hall and Sarah Albert. The Raiders also return seven seniors including Wood, Deidra Dubuc, Julia Dyer, Natalie Caron, Kim Hinkley, Stacy Light and Ashley Pulk. The Greyhounds went 9-5 before losing in the prelims. Lisbon returns pitcher Emily Moore and veterans Christy McAuliffe, Sam Purcell and Vicki Osmond.

The Black Bears return pitchers Sarah Maxwell and Delaney Evans and its entire outfield.

Gray-New Gloucester, after a 10-6 season last year, should in the playoff hunt as well. Poland won six games last year but could challenge for the postseason with pitcher Tori Hricko and starters Alicia Dube, Katie Moreau, Courtney Gray, Toni Ritchie and Kacie Ford all back.

Class C

Georges Valley clubbed its way to its first state title and returns most of that team. The MVC also has Telstar and Monmouth in the championship-caliber category. The Rebels return four-year starters Josie Reiss and Abby Hutchins as well as pitcher Candace Hall to a team that won the MVC title and lost to the Bucs in the Western C final. Monmouth, lost to the Rebels in the semifinals, but should be among the elite squads again. Jenn Lola was the MVC Player of the Year. The Mustangs also return seniors pitcher Brittany Hilton, infielder Jill Armstrong and outfielder Katie Woodman.

Madison, Mt. Abram and Jay were among the other top playoff teams last year. The Bulldogs should be solid once again. The Roadrunners have a new coach in former standout Sara Martin. Mt. Abram has just one senior (catcher Morgan Cummings). Junior Kenni Norton and freshman Molly McCafferty give the Roadrunners solid pitching. Jay has both pitchers returning in Alexii Smith and Daydra Loon. Though the Tigers lost catcher Liz LeBlanc to an injury, Jay still has five other returning starters in Emily Boivin, Katie Hall, Betsy Gemelli, Zena Armandi and Tasha Hebert.

In the WMC, the two tradition powers, Sacopee Valley and St. Dom’s, have new coaches. Both squads could contend in Western C. Brian Kay takes over the Saints and has many of the same faces he coaches on the field hockey team. Mary Lewis is an outstanding shortstop while pitcher Jenn Cullen and catcher Kelsey Murphy lead what should be a solid St. Dom’s team.

Dirigo and Hall-Dale each finished with seven wins last year. Both teams could be in the hunt for one of the final playoff berths.

Class D

Buckfield is the favorite to claim a third straight regional title. The Bucks have much of its state championship team returning including pitcher Kasey Farrington, catcher Alyssa Henderson and outfielder Amy Reuter. The Bucks graduated four players, three starters, but have a solid group of juniors and sophomores led by Ashlee Hamann, LeAnn Abbott and Brittany Wiley. Richmond should be the Bucks biggest challenge. Buckfield and Richmond have combined to claim the last six regional titles. The Bobcats, which lost to Buckfield in the Western D final, return five starters, including senior pitcher Amy Russell and shortstop Melanie Schanck. Rangeley could be a factor. The Lakers went 10-5 last year and return much of that squad, including pitcher Angela White and infielders Hayley White, Samantha Olivieri, Ali Godaire and Krista Jamison.