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Buckfield Bucks
Coach: Ben Keene (first year)
Class: D; Conference: EWC
Last year’s record: 9-9, lost in D South semifinal
Returning athletes: Seniors — Ethan Jackson (P/SS), Tyler Sullivan (3B), Zack Grover (1B/P); Juniors — Shane St. Pierre (OF), Dylan Harvey (2B), Cole Merrill (C); Sophomore — Josh Gagne (IF).
Key losses: Jake Kraske, Matt Beaucage, Simon Burch.
Promising newcomers: Sophomore — Victor Verrill (OF).
Season outlook: Keene, an assistant coach last year, believes he’s inherited a team poised to challenge Searsport and Richmond in D South. He has perhaps the best player in the EWC in Jackson and plenty of candidates to pick up the slack when he’s not on the mound. Sullivan moves from outfield to join Jackson on the left side of the infield.
Dirigo Cougars
Coach: Ryan Palmer (eighth year)
Class: C; Conference: MVC
Last year’s record: 9-8, lost in C South quarterfinal
Returning athletes: Seniors — Cooper Chiasson (SS/3B/P), Luke Lueders (SS/P), Chase Thebarge (3B), Cam Turner (P/OF); Juniors — Jeremy St. Germain (1B), Tucker Olsen (2B), Jacob Gaudin (OF), Quinton Penley (OF/DH), Wyatt Lufkin (P), Sam Holmes (P), Chandler Redmond (OF).
Key losses: Bryce Whittemore, Mason Corriveau.
Promising newcomers: Sophomore — Mike Packard (IF); Freshmen — Dallas Berry (C), Derek Ducharme (OF), Jacob York (1B).
Season outlook: The Cougars hope having an experienced lineup and defense can make up for one big potential shortcoming. The depleted pitching staff could be further limited by nagging injuries to Chaisson and Lueders. The top of the batting order should be strong with Lueders, Thebarge and Chiasson. Palmer is looking for the bottom of the order to chip in more. They might not finish near the top of the final Heals, but could be dangerous in the tournament.
Edward Little Red Eddies
Coach: Dave Jordan (fourth year)
Class: A; Conference: KVAC
Last year’s record: 13-3, lost in A North semifinal
Returning athletes: Seniors — Maxx Bell (C), Grant Hartley (1B/P), Nick Hathaway (P/2B); Junior — Ethan Brown (P/OF); Sophomore — Austin Brown (SS/P).
Key losses: Tyler Blanchard, Mason Brushwein, Ian Brushwein, C.J. Jipson, Jarod Norcross Plourde, Damien St. Pierre.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Jayson Taylor (3B/OF); Juniors — Christian Beliveau (OF), Ben Cassidy (P/IF); Sophomores — Jake Arel (C/2B/P), Dan Milks (P/OF), Giles Paradie (C), Joe Stubbs (P/OF), Freshmen — Will Cassidy (C/P), Luke Josephson (SS/P), Colin Merritt (C/OF).
Season outlook: The revamped pitching staff will be key to the Red Eddies keeping pace in the KVAC. The lineup could be potent with Hartley, who had five home runs last year, in the middle, and the defense should be solid. The question is whether they can fill the void from graduating their top three pitchers — Norcross Plourde, St. Pierre and Jipson.
Gray-NG Patriots
Coach: Brad Smith (seventh year)
Class: B; Conference: WMC
Last year’s record: 7-10 (lost in B South preliminary)
Returning athletes: Seniors — Josiah Rottari (P/2B), Will Shufelt (P/DH), Eli Winchester (P/SS), Cam Usher (1B); Juniors — Nick McCann (C), Cam Andrews (P/3B).
Key losses: John Henry Villanueva, Jake Winchester, Nick Chandler, Zach Mann.
Promising newcomers: Juniors — Cooper Winslow (SS/2B/P), Damian Pye (P/OF).
Season outlook: The Patriots have some major holes to fill, including the entire outfield, infield and two pitchers. Smith remains cautiously optimistic, hoping his seniors can set the tone offensively and defensively. A change in the conference format that removed two-time Class A South champion Falmouth and Kennebunk, also a Class A school, from the schedule should help. Newcomers Winslow and Pye, a southpaw, should contribute immediately.
Leavitt Hornets
Coach: Larry Angello (second year)
Class: B; Conference: KVAC
Last year’s record: 10-7, lost in B South preliminary
Returning athletes: Seniors — Tim Albert (P/1B), Brian Hewitt (P/SS), David Herman (P/2B); Junior — Oren Shaw (OF); Sophomores — Alan Peabody (SS/P), Darren Hewitt (Util.).
Key losses: Lucas Perry, Nick Angello, Nate Ouellette, Ian Godfrey.
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Bryce Hudson (OF), Parker Springer (OF); Sophomore — Eli Lind (C); Freshman — Matt Wallingford (Util/P).
Season outlook: The Hornets return plenty of varsity experience on the hill in Albert and Brian Hewitt, their top two hurlers last year. Peabody and Herman also saw time on the mound last year. Lind is their new batterymate. Hudson adds to what is already a fast lineup, and Angello plans on being aggressive to exploit that speed.
Lewiston Blue Devils
Coach: Darren Hartley (first year)
Class: A; Conference: KVAC
Last year’s record: 9-8, lost in A North quarterfinal
Returning athletes: Seniors — Evan Cox (P/IF), Brock Belanger (C/P), Ben Chasse (IF/P), Elias Atikins (OF/P); Juniors — Hunter Landry (OF/P), Jack Leblond (IF/P), Cooper Millett (OF/P); Sophomore — Owen Cox (IF/P).
Key losses: Dalton Wing, Eddie Turgeon.
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Robert Dostie (SS/DH), Mitchel Frisbie (IF); Sophomores — Brodi Farinas (IF), Sam Laroche (C/DH); Freshmen — Noah Hill (IF), Nate Lyons (IF).
Season outlook: One of the most improved teams in A North last year, the Blue Devils should continue to move up in the region. Evan Cox and Landry were their No. 1 and 2 pitchers last year, and they have a veteran backstop in Belanger. They have speed and athleticism up and down the lineup, and should be a factor offensively and defensively.
Lisbon Greyhounds
Coach: Randy Ridley(18th year)
Class: C; Conference: MVC
Last year’s record: 15-5, lost in Class C state championship
Returning athletes: Seniors — Cole Bolduc (OF), Sean Scott (P/OF), Nick Austin (P/2B); Juniors — Noah Austin (P/OF), Lucas Francis (P/IF); Sophomore — DJ Douglass (P/IF).
Key losses: Tyler Halls, Ryley Austin, Noah Francis, Nick Lerette.
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Jonah Sautter, Ben LeClair, Brandon Keith-Williams; Sophomore — Levi Levesque; Freshmen — Justin Le, Daytona Mciver.
Season outlook: The Greyhounds’ crushing loss in last year’s state championship was only made more paIFul by the graduation of four key contributors, including 2017 Sun Journal Player of the Year Halls. But they still have some strong talent back, led on the mound by Francis and at the plate by the Austins, Francis and Scott. Ridley is looking for his returners to be motivated by unfinished business and help the newcomers navigate a difficult MVC schedule.
Monmouth Mustangs
Coach: Eric Palleschi (14th year)
Class: C; Conference: MVC
Last year’s record: 11-8, lost in C South finall
Returning athletes: Seniors — Nick Dovinsky (P/Util.), Devon Poisson (2B/P), Avery Pomerleau (1B/OF/P); Junior — Corey Armstrong (P/Util.), Carlos Garcia (2B/P), Trevor Flanagan (P/1B); Sophomores — Thomas Neal (OF)
Key losses: Hunter Richardson, Travis Hartford, Avery Amero, Mat Foulke, Kane Gould, Gabe Martin.
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Bradley Neal (DH); Sophomores — Matt Fortin (C), Ed Zuis (IF), Ryan Burnham (P/1B), Kyzer Card (3B); Freshman — Cam Armstrong (Util.).
Season outlook: Adding to the loss of four starters to graduation was the transfer of Gould, an outfield starter, to Winthrop and Martin, who decided to try track this spring. The Mustangs still have key contributors from last year’s run, where they reachedthe regional final as a seventh seed. Dovinsky, Poisson and Pomerleau form a strong senior nucleus, and they still have considerable varsity experience on the mound. Aside from Pomerleau, the outfield will be new.
Mt. Abram
Coach: Jeff Pillsbury (first year)
Class: C; Conference: MVC
Last year’s record: 0-13
Returning athletes: Seniors — Sam Storer (P/SS), Bryce Werzanski (P/2B/OF), Cody Ladd (P/OF/1B); Tyler Sullivan (3B), Zack Grover (1B/P); Junior — Jack Deming (C/1B/OF); Sophomore — Nate Luce (3B).
Key losses: Dan Luce, Riley Davenport, John May, Sean Allen.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Evan McKay (OF).
Season outlook: Eight of the 13 on the Roadrunners roster are freshmen and sophomores, so Pilsbury has seen little or nothing from many of his players outside of a gym. Werzanski has the most experience on the pitching staff. The emphasis will be on developing the young talent and lay the foundation for a more competitive future in the MVC.
Mountain Valley Falcons
Coach: Steve LaPointe (39th year)
Class: B; Conference: MVC
Last year’s record: 11-6 (lost in B South quarterfinal)
Returning athletes: Seniors — Hunter Ames (P/OF), Curtis Gavin (C/DH); Juniors — Garrett Garbarini (3B/P), Cameron Godbois (1B/P), Ethan Laubauskas (IF/P), Will Bean (OF/P), Jacob Blanchard (OF), Will Sorensen (2B); Sophomores — Dylan Desroches (C), Fischer Cormier (IF/P).
Key losses: John Pepin, Jacob Beauchesne, Nick Newman, Jon Adley, Andrew Arsenault.
Promising newcomers: Sophomore — Cody Hemingway; Freshman — Aaron LaBrash.
Season outlook: The Falcons won’t lack pitching and defense this year. Ames, a lety who went 6-0 last year, anchors the staff, with Cormier, Laubauskas, Godbois, Garbarini and Bean all expected to lend support. Desroches will be their new battery-mate. Sorensen and Blanchard are strong gloves up the middle and Garbarini was an MVC all-star as a sophomore. The latter two lead and Godbois lead a lineup that has some formidable bats but is looking for more consistency than last year.
Mt. Blue Cougars
Coach: Steve Lancaster (second year)
Class: A; Conference: KVAC
Last year’s record: 4-12
Returning athletes: Seniors —Hunter Bolduc (SS/P), David Quimby (OF), Caleb Young (OF); Junior — Noah Bell (C).
Key losses: Miles Pelletier, Alex Philbrick, David McDonald, Corey Rogers.
Promising newcomers: Junior —Colin Hutchins (1B); Sophomore — Kyle Fox (P/OF)).
Season outlook: Scoring runs was the Cougars’ biggest obstacle to a playoff spot last year, so they are focusing on being more selective at the plate and taking advantage of mistakes. Lancaster also plans to utilize his team speed to manufacture runs and put pressure on the defense, but they need to get on base first.
Oak Hill Raiders
Coach: Chad Stowell (second year)
Class: B; Conference: MVC
Last year’s record: 4-12
Returning athletes: Senior — Colby Webster (P/IF); Juniors — Reid Cote (P/1B), Ethan Barnett (P/IF/C), Caleb Treadwell (P/OF), Casey Dion (P/1B), Isaac Austin (P/OF), Sophomore — Caleb Valliere (P/IF).
Key losses: Adam Mooney, Matt Clifford, Austin Noble, Austin Gayton, Brent Mulherin.
Promising newcomers: Sophomores — Ezra Juray (C/OF), Seth Dyer (OF); Freshmen — Gavin Rawstron (P/IF), Sam Lyndsay (P/IF/OF).
Season outlook:he Raiders have lost considerable varsity experience to graduation the last two years, so they will be looking for the juniors to carry the majority of innings and offense. Rawstron, their starting quarterback in the fall, leads the newcomers who should contribute.
Oxford Hills Vikings
Coach: Shane Slicer (16th year)
Class: A; Conference: KVAC
Last year’s record: 14-2, lost in A North semifinals
Returning athletes: Seniors — Hunter LaBossiere (OF), Troy Johnson (P/IF), Emery Chickering (3B/P), Kaden Cutler (C/OF); Juniors — Rodney Bean (2B/SS), Colton Carson (P/OF), Ashton Kennison (1B/P), Janek Luksza (SS/P), Jonny Pruett (OF/P), Cameron Slicer (OF/P); Wyatt Williamson (C/P).
Key losses: Brayden Bean, Connor Truman.
Promising newcomers: None.
Season outlook: With most of the talent back from a team that secured the top seed last year, the Vikings will once again be one of the teams to beat in A North. The pitching staff should be eight deep, led by Carson, who verbally committed to UMaine for baseball last year. Teams won’t catch much of a break when they face Johnson or Luksza, either. LaBossiere, an all-KVAC outfielder, is the fulcrum of a lineup that should be more productive.
Poland Knights
Coach: Charlie Pray (second year)
Class: B; Conference: WMC
Last year’s record: 5-11
Returning athletes: Seniors — Gabe Crosby (C/3B), Garrett Goss (OF), Keatin Herrick (IF/P); Junior — Colby Bell (IF/P), Bryce Simpson (1B/P), Adrien Melanson (2B/P), Gawain Tibbetts (IF/OF/P); Sophomore — Brady Downing (IF/P).
Key losses: Jake Wiseman, Ben Bernier, Caleb Hodgkin, Quinn Callahan, Noah Salmons.
Promising newcomers: Sophomores — Daulton Bolduc, Noah Breton, Davin Cloutier.
Season outlook: The Knights will be inexperienced, particularly on the mound, but Pray is focused on developing an aggressive, fundamentally-sound team. Downing and Tibbetts will anchor the pitching staff, with Crosby taking over for Wiseman behind the plate. The schedule, with WMC powers Yarmouth, York, Cape Elizabeth and Greely and a home game against Lewiston, is tough.
Rangeley Lakers
Coach: Jeff LaRochelle (fourth year)
Class: D; Conference: EWC
Last year’s record: 9-4, lost in D South quarterfinal
Returning athletes: Seniors — Kyle LaRochelle (1B), Hunter Lowell (OF), Zac Trafton (C/P), Bo Bealieu (SS/P); Junior —Leo Perez (OF), Cal Crosby (P/C); Sophomores — Ian Lillis (OF/P), Brian Williams (OF/IF).
Key losses: Ricky Thompson, Carl Trafton.
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Kenny Thompson (P/IF), Luke Beaulieu (OF), Matt Lessard (IF/OF), Connor Hall (P/IF), Joseph Rucker (OF); 8th grade — Nate Quimby (IF/OF).
Season outlook: The Lakers return most of last year’s lineup and hope the experience can translate to competing for a D South title. Pitching could be a bit thin, though, so LaRochelle is hoping his team’s offense and defense can pick up some of the slack. That can be difficult when your one of the last teams to have a playable practice field, but the reward is a backlog of home games which could contribute to their momentum heading into the tournament.
St. Dom’s Saints
Coach: Bob Blackman (15th year)
Class: C; Conference: WMC
Last year’s record: 9-8, lost in C South quarterfinal
Returning athletes: Senior — Mac Pelletier (SS/P)); Juniors — Riley Volpe (1B/P), Hunter Hughes (1B), Ben Gosselin (OF); Sophomores — Jack Ouellette (OF), , Will Laflamme (2B), Michael Cilley (C).
Key losses: Bobby Shelley, Justin Keaney.
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Derek Wolverton, Domenic Chasse.
Season outlook: With just one senior on the roster, the Saints have gotten even younger. But numbers are on the rebound and the experience the seven returning starters got last year should prove valuable. Volpe is one of the top pitchers in C South and has a reliable No. 2 behind him in Pelletier. Cilley more than held his own behind the plate as a freshman. Always dangerous at tournament time, St. Dom’s could come back to some of its old MVC rivals before the season ends.
Spruce Mtn. Phoenix
Coach: Brian Dube (seventh year)
Class: B; Conference: MVC
Last year’s record: 12-6, lost in B South quarterfinal
Returning athletes: Seniors — Shane Pelletier (OF/P), Jordy Daigle (P/3B), Nick Lombardi (SS/P), Hunter Dalton (OF), Landon Brochu (2B); Sophomore — Logan Moffitt (P/IB).
Key losses: Noah Preble, Austin Gilboe, Nate Goodine, Tyler PoissonDevin Pomeroy.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Mason Shink (C/OF); Juniors — Brett Hunt (Util.), Noah Gilbert (C); Sophomore — Bryson Bailey (3B/P).
Season outlook: A return to the MVC means more Class C competition, so the Phoenix will need to take Heal points wherever they can get them. They have last year’s ace, Daigle, to take the ball in the big games. Pelletier is a four-year starter, and anchors the outfield. Brochu moves in from the outfield to join Lombardi in the double play combination.
Telstar Rebels
Coach: John Eliot (fifth year)
Class: C; Conference: MVC
Last year’s record: 4-10-1
Returning athletes: Seniors —Jarrett Bean (1B/C), Zach Hill (P/SS), Boston Ludden (C/P/OF), Blake Rothwell (OF/2B); Juniors — Joe Dillon (OF), Brad Lessard (OF/1B), Tristen Lilly (Util), Colby Marriott (IF), Joe Sicotte (P/IF); Sophomores — Dakota Albert (OF), Devin Cole-Mason (P/3B/1B), Tyler Hill (C/P) .
Key losses: Josh Eliot, Tanner Wheeler.
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Cain Shatzer, Austin Westleigh, Jacob Putnam, Teddy Doyle, Asa Milot.
Season outlook: The graduation of Eliot and Wheeler, both first team conference all-stars last year leaves major voids offensively, defensively and on the mound for the Rebels. Ludden was one of their table-setters last year, and he, Bean and both Hills will be asked to step up run production. It will be interesting to see how the pitching staff takes shape after being anchored by Wheeler the last couple of years.
Winthrop Ramblers
Coach: Marc Fortin (23rd year)
Class: C; Conference: MVC
Last year’s record: 11-7, lost in C South semifinal
Returning athletes: Seniors — Greg Fay (P/SS), Carson Camick (3B/P), Cameron Gaghan (2B/P); Junior — Jackson Ladd (OF/P), Maguire Anuszewski (C/OF); Sophomores — Ryan Baird (1B/P), Cam Hachey (C/P/OF).
Key losses: Jacob Hickey, Matt Ingram, Bennett Brooks, Antonio Meucci.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Morgan Bellemare (C); Juniors — Cam Wood (P/1B), Jared McLaughlin (P/OF), Kane Gould (OF), Sam Figueroa (P/3B).
Season outlook: The Ramblers lost the heart of their batting order and some of their best arms to graduation, but should still be in the mix in C South. Pitching depth is their strength. Fay and Baird line up as the top two starters, but Fortin believes he has over a dozen who can contribute from the mound. Ladd returns to the leadoff spot, while Fay, Gaghan and Camick will move up in the order and have more chances to drive him in.
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