Class A

Cony and Messalonskee should be the teams to beat. The Rams went 14-4 last year and have three pitchers and an experienced lineup. The Eagles, who won the regional title last year, have a young squad but return ace hurler Kai Smith. Skowhegan could be another force with five starters and a potent offense back.

Brewer, which lost in the regional final, will be a threat as well.

Oxford Hills should be in the playoff mix as usual. The Vikings, which went 11-5 and finished sixth,  return all-conference outfielder Breanna Martin. Also back for Oxford Hills are Ashley West, Abby Bernier, Angel Witham and Crystal West.

Edward Little has its share of returning talent that could produce another playoff berth. EL won nine games and earned the eighth seed last year. Ashlee Arnold at short, Melissa Paione at second and Kory Norcross at first all earned all-KVAC recognition last year. Also back as starters are infielders Kennedy Hubbard and Danielle Rock and outfielders Emily Chario and Kelsey Butcher.

After an 0-16 season, Mt. Blue has another coaching change. The Cougars brought back Paul Rodrigue, who coached the club to a playoff spot a few years ago. The Cougars are looking to improve. Lewiston has new coaches and could surprise some teams as well.

Class B

It was Fryeburg and Oak Hill in the regional final last year. Fryeburg graduated just five seniors and have much of its team back, including pitcher Sarah Harriman and outfielder Maddie Pearson.

Oak Hill graduated four starters, including pitcher Lauren Hall and catcher Taylor Fillion. These Raiders still have some regulars back. Kortni Michaud moves from short to pitcher. Alyssa Rouleau, Alexis Priest and Brianna Hodgkin return to the infield while Marrissa Caskin is a staple in center for the Raiders. New coach Allyson Collins replaces Julie Boucher, who stepped down after 15 years, but has a team that should fare well in the KVAC and Western B.

Maranacook could be another KVAC squad to make noise in Western B, the Black Bears went 12-4 last year and return  five veterans from that club, including hurler Sarah Boynton.

Winslow changed coaches in the preseason but could still be a playoff team as should Oceanside, with former Georges Valley players and coach Rusty Worcester combining with Rockland. Medomak Valley will be a force as well in the KVAC.

Leavitt missed the playoffs last spring but return starters pitcher Adrie Newton, catcher Annie Castonguay, first baseman Shelby St. Pierre and shortstop Torrie Zupancic.

In the Western Maine Conference, Gray-New Gloucester has an experienced team looking to challenge for the post season. Maggie Chaplin is on the mound while Sammie Wilkins also returns to lead a solid Patriot team hoping to earn a playoff spot.

Greely, Cape Elizabeth and Yarmouth could also be playoff contending clubs from the WMC.

Poland is young and has a new coach in Kat McKay, who was at St. Dom’s last year.

From the MVC, Spruce Mountain could challenge for a playoff spot after combining Jay and Livermore Falls. Mountain Valley hopes to improve and challenge for a playoff berth.

Class C

Telstar lost six seniors and a wealth of experience from last year’s state championship team. The Rebels still have some key components back from that squad including shortstop Lyndsay Merrill, second baseman Kallie Brown and outfielder Tasha Farnum. Telstar will have a lot of new faces in the lineup, including sophomore pitcher Jessica Dirago.

That could mean the MVC is wide open this year, especially with Georges Valley out of the mix. Madison and Hall-Dale should be strong contenders in the league.

Lisbon has an experienced lineup returning including starters shortstop Brooke Lawrence, outfielder Alexa Harmon, pitcher Kimber Morse, catcher Haley Eck and outfielder Chantal Bisson.

St. Dom’s lost five seniors but return seniors Becky Trytek, Mary Caron and Dayle Jordan as well as juniors Lexi Casey and Bethany Fox.

Monmouth has one of the top pitchers in the MVC back in Kristine Kahl. Outfielder/pitcher Colby Wilson is a fellow four-year starter while Daisi Poole is a three-year starter behind the plate. The Mustangs are short on numbers and were hurt by an injury to veteran shortstop Bri Hicks.

Dirigo and Mt. Abram both lost in the Western C quarterfinals last year. Both teams have some holes to fill but return enough talent to challenge for the playoffs. Winthrop has much of its team returning and could make some noise this year.

Class D

Richmond remains the team to beat again. The Bobcats graduated just one starter from last year’s 17-1 team that lost in the state championship. Pitchers Leandra Martin and Jamie Plummer lead a formidable Richmond that should be be the favorite in Western D.

Buckfield is the annual challenger for the Bobcats and will likely be the thorn in the side of the defending regional champs again. The Bucks will have to rebuild its infield though. Buckfield graduated four senior starters in pitcher Heather Clavet, catcher Alicia Patrie and infielders Allie Martin and Sammie Jones.

Rangeley returns 11 players from last year, including pitcher Chantel Carrier and catcher Taylor Esty. The Lakers also return Jenney Abbott, one of the team’s top hitters, and Abby Abbott, an outfielder who injured her knee during soccer season.

Forest Hills and Valley are still young and improving but could provide a test to some teams this season.