Buckfield baseball 2017 preview

Coach: Larry Thornton (First year)

Class: D; Conference: EWC

Last year’s record: 6-11 (Lost in Class D South quarterfinals)

Returning athletes: Seniors — Jake Kraske (P/SS/OF), Matt Beaucage (3B/P) Simon Burch (INF/OF/P), ; Juniors — Ethan Jackson (P/SS/OF), Zack Grover (1B/P); Sophomore — Cole Merrill (C).

Key losses: Sidney Jackson, Jacob Albert, Ralph Dunn, Gerry Gagne, Nick Cates, Jon Randolph.

Promising newcomers: Seniors — Mike Henderson (OF), Kyle Walters (INF/P) ; Sophomore — Dylan Harvey (2B/P).

Season outlook: The Bucks hope to move up in the East-West Conference and deeper into the tournament with a new coaching staff and a balanced roster. They have enviable pitching depth with eight players capable of toeing the slab. The staff is led by Kraske, one of the top hurlers in Class D South, and bolstered by the return of Walters after some time away from the game and Harvey from a knee injury suffered during soccer season. Kraske, Jackson and Grover provide pop in the lineup. They also have good team speed, soThornton plans to be aggressive on the bases.