2022 baseball preview capsules

DIRIGO COUGARS
Coach: Bob Karcher (second year)
Class: C; Conference: MVC
2021 results: 9-8, lost in C South quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Wyatt Smith, Drew Collins, Curtis Errington; Juniors — Trenton Hutchinson, Dakota Tompkins, Charlie Houghton, Austin Adams, Trent Holman.
Key losses: Cole Brown, Dallas Berry, Derek Ducharme.
Promising newcomers: Logan Timberlake, Dylen Packard, Mason Ducharme, Travis Wright, Dalton Hodgkins.
Season outlook: Trenton Hutchinson, a second-team MVC player in 2021, will lead the Dirigo pitching staff in 2022. Coach Bob Karcher said he hopes the Cougars “build off a nine-win season and steadily climb up the MVC hierarchy.” The losses of all-conference second-team players Dallas Berry and Derek Ducharme leave holes that need to be filled quickly.

EDWARD LITTLE RED EDDIES
Coach: Dave Jordan (seventh year)
Class: A; Conference: KVAC
2021 results: 11-7, lost in A North semifinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Patrick Anthoine (SS/P), Aiden Gonzalez (OF/P), Kamden Masselli (2B/P), Braden Paradie (OF/P); Juniors — Campbell Cassidy (OF/P), Gavin Levesque (3B/P); Sophomore — Drew Smith (P/1B).
Key losses: Alex Avila, Michael Braga, Will Cassidy, Jack Hart, Jack Keefe, Chase Martin, Colin Merritt, Anson Perry, Clay Robbins.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Ben Forbush (OF/1B); Juniors — Caleb Albert (OF), Brennan Anthoine (2B), Gage Ducharme (C), Brody Keefe (C/1B/P), Brady Vincent (1B/P); Sophomores — Brayden Bashaw (C/1B), Peyton Dyer (2B/OF/P), Kade Masselli (INF/P), Owen Scott (OF/P); Freshmen — Ben DuBois (OF/C), Elliott Hill (INF/C), TJ Kramarz (INF/P).
Season outlook: Edward Little refuels this season with several new juniors and sophomores joining returning players Patrick Anthoine, Campbell Cassidy and Drew Smith. Coach Dave Jordan is optimistic about the 2022 season: “The team has demonstrated great culture thus far and enjoy playing for each other. We have a nice mixture of veteran and young arms who are competing for innings on the mound. We have veteran players who can give us a spark offensively.”

GRAY-NEW GLOUCESTER PATRIOTS
Coach: Jon DiBiase (second year)
Class: B; Conference: WMC
2019 results: 3-15, lost in B South quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Anthony Prescott, Colin Mulry, Austin Albert, Cameron Cormier, Zach Winchester, Mike Sweeney; Juniors — Nick Bouchard, Ian Libby, Colby Dehetre, Max Kenney, Andrew Reynolds, Abe Bouchard, David Black.
Key losses: Wyatt Kenney, Ben Wildes, Connor Saunders.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Aubry Lincoln; Sophomores — Nick Geer, Andrew Keddy, Jake Maschino, Braeden Chute.
Season outlook: The Patriots are looking to build upon their No.16-over-No. 1 playoff victory against Yarmouth last spring. “After getting a playoff win last year, we are looking to continue to build a competitive varsity program in a talented baseball conference,” DiBiase said. “Juniors Ian Libby and Drew Reynolds will lead the pitching rotation. Seniors Michael Sweeney, Anthony Prescott, Austin Albert and Zach Winchester will anchor the lineup.”

LEAVITT HORNETS
Coach: Chris Cifelli (seventh year)
Class: B; Conference: KVAC
2021 results: 9-9, lost in B South quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Brogan McCormick (P/1B), Blake Springer (C), Kaden Trenoweth (P/OF).
Key losses: Matt Wallingford, Garrett Mollica, Jayden Ruel, Wyatt Hathaway, Daniel Cifelli.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Ian Redstone (IF); Juniors — Connor DeCoster (P/OF), Aidan Lind (P/OF), Jake Mellen (P/IF), Braxton Rowe (OF); Sophomores: Noah Carpenter (P/IF), Will Keach (P/IF), Jace Negley (1B), Colton Taylor (P, IF).
Season outlook: Leavitt has seven pitchers this spring so its rotation could be a strength. “Younger players will be expected to step into big roles, but if they are able to thrive in those spots and the team continues to gel, Leavitt may surprise some teams at season’s end,” Chris Cifelli said.

LEWISTON BLUE DEVILS
Coach: Chris Reed (first year)
Class: A; Conference: KVAC
2021 results: 13-3, lost in A North semifinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Damon Bossie (1B), Josh Murphy (P/OF), Andon Cox (SS); Juniors — Tanner Anctil (OF), Michael Dymkoski (C), Brandon Farinas (P/INF).
Key losses: Keegan McLaughlin (P/C/3B), Noah Hill (UTIL).
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Matt Dube (3B), Evan Knowlton (UTIL); Sophomores — Ethan Blue (UTIL), Payson Goyette (C/INF), Daniel Pelletier (P/IF); Freshmen — Michael Caron (UTIL), Joseph Dube (P/INF), Jeffrey Randall (P/INF), Andrew Theriault (IF/OF), Lonnie Thomas (INF/P).
Season outlook: Lewiston returns many top players this spring, including KVAC North Player of the Year Josh Murphy. Fellow seniors Damon Bossie and Andon Cox also will be big factors, and they’ll be joined by promising newcomers. “The future is now for a talented group of freshmen,” first-year coach Chris Reed said. “Expect to see them in the lineup on a regular basis. The conference has some very good teams. Our work will be cut out for us. The goal is to be a much better team in June than we are today. If that comes to fruition, we will be a tough out for anyone.”

LISBON GREYHOUNDS
Coach: Randy Ridley (22nd year)
Class: C; Conference: MVC
2021 results: 16-3, C South runner-up.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Hunter Brissette, Ethan Brown, Mason Booker, Nick Ferrence, Riley Turner, Caleb Philips, Elijah Fullerton; Juniors — Levi Tibbetts, Bryce Poulin, Aiden Parker, Jack Ramich, Canaan Cameron; Sophomore — Jimmy Fitzsimmons.
Key losses: Neil Larochelle, Justin Le.
Promising newcomers: Cody Osmond, Gerrick Potvin, Jayden Camp.
Season outlook: Lisbon returns much of the team that reached the Class C South final last June. The Greyhounds have four pitchers in Nick Ferrence, Mason Booker, Hunter Brissette and Levi Tibbetts, who will headline what coach Randy Ridley calls his the deepest staff during his tenture. The regional final loss is fueling the Greyhounds this season, with Ferrence saying, “I’ve been thinking about it since it happened.”

MONMOUTH MUSTANGS
Coach: Eric Palleschi (17th year)
Class: C; Conference: MVC
2021 results: 16-4; C South champion, Class C runner-up.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Hayden Fletcher, Liam Burgess, Seth McKenney, Ian MacDonald; Juniors — Manny Calder, Hunter Frost, Matt Marquis, Owen Harding, Alex Orne, Isaac Oliveira; Sophomores — Sam Calder, Kyle Palleschi, Carter O’Connell, Luke Harmon, Richard Johnson.
Key loss: Cameron Armstrong.
Promising newcomers: Jake Godbout, Isaac Fortin.
Season outlook: All but one player return for a team that reached the Class C state championship game. Strong junior and sophomore classes — which include Manny Calder, Isaac Oliveira, Sam Calder, Kyle Palleschi — have a year of experience under their belts, and Hayden Fletcher is back for his senior campaign. “This season will depend on how well we play defense and pitch the ball,” coach Eric Palleschi said. “We have lots of guys that can throw strikes, but we lack that clear-cut number one. We are not going to be able to give teams four or five outs in an inning or it will be a long season.”

MOUNTAIN VALLEY FALCONS
Coach: Steve LaPointe (40th year)
Class: C; Conference: MVC
Last year: 4-12, lost in first round of the C South playoffs.
Returning players: Seniors — Jonah Byam, Grant Carrier, Austen Bernard; Juniors — Zach New, Airick Richard, Leon Salmon, Jakob LaPointe; Sophomores — Jake New, Joel Tardiff, Seneca Jones.
Key losses: Anthony Mazza, Ethan Casey, Kyler Heinzen, Caleb Frisbie.
Promising newcomers: Juniors — Zach Putnam, Konnor Robin, Colby Frisbie; Sophomores — Julian Byam, Bradley Sirois, Rilan Farmum, Adam Gammon, Tanner Henry, Tyler Warren.
Season outlook: Mountain Valley returns three seniors and four juniors this season to a team that finished 4-12 last spring. Head coach Steve LaPointe said the pitching and defense “should be improved” and the goal of the team is “to be competitive with every team.”

MT. ABRAM ROADRUNNERS
Coach: Jeff Pillsbury (fifth year)
Class: C; Conference: MVC
2021 results: 15-4, lost in C South semifinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Trevor Phelps, Adam Luce, Ian Allen, Wyatt Sieminski, Brenden Williamson; Juniors — Kaden Pillsbury, Tucker Plouffe, Trey Pease; Sophomores — Payton Mitchell, Bear Rollins, Trey Reed.
Key losses: Kenyon Pillsbury, Hunter Warren, Ben Debiase, Gabe Emery.
Promising newcomers: Cam Grey, Bryce Wilcox, Logan Dube, Ash Rollins, Andrew Rothers.
Season outlook: Coach Jeff Pillsbury said the return six starters give the Roadrunners “experience and versatility.” Trevor Phelps will be Mt. Abram’s top pitcher, and, according to Pillsbury, should be one of the top pitchers in the conference. The four graduated players led the team in several statistical categories, but Pillsbury is excited about the players on this spring’s roster. “We have a lot of room for growth, but if we are going to compete with the top teams in the MVC, we will need to get better, especially in a couple of key positions,” he said.

MT. BLUE COUGARS
Coach: Rob Dippner (first year)
Class: A; Conference: KVAC
2021 results: 8-7, lost in first round of A North playoffs.
Returning starters: Senior — Evan Downing; Juniors — Hayden Dippner, Jayden Meader, Brody Walsh.
Key losses: Sam Wrigley, Aiden Decarolis, Jack Kearing, Jackson Joyce, Quinn Mumma.
Promising newcomers: Ike Wrigley, Zak Koban, Zach Poisson, Hayden Durrell.
Season outlook: Mt. Blue returns no pitchers with varsity experience, but that hasn’t soured coach Rob Dippner’s outlook. “I think our young guys have worked extremely hard this offseason to prepare for an uphill climb in Class A this season,” he said. Hayden Dippner, Jayden Meader and Brody Walsh started last year as sophomores and others played American Legion baseball over the summer. Rob Dippner is hoping that experience helps the Cougars this spring.

OAK HILL RAIDERS
Coach: Chad Stowell (sixth year)
Class: C; Conference: MVC
2021 results: 13-3; MVC champion, lost in C South semifinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Jackson Arbor (INF/P), Isaac Morissette (C), Caden Thompson (OF), Silas Dumont (OF), Latrell Williams (1B); Juniors — Ethan Vattaso (UTIL/P), Kyle Delano (INF/OF/P), Maverick Swan (OF) Grayson Letourneau (C/OF), Aaron Ridlon (INF); Sophomores —Trent Drouin (INF/P), Cooper Spencer (OF).
Key losses: Gavin Rawstron, Sam Lindsay.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Koby Lafata (OF); Junior — Jamison Bergeron (OF); Sophomores — Landon Bangs (INF/P), Eli Gossselin (INF), Landen Denis (OF).
Season outlook: Sun Journal All-Region Player of the Year, MVC Player of the Year and Winkin Award finalist Gavin Rawstron graduated, but the Raiders return 10 players with starting experience — seven of whom were “primary starters” according to coach Chad Stowell. Ethan Vattaso and Isaac Morissette were both first-team MVC all-conference players in 2021.

OXFORD HILLS/BUCKFIELD VIKINGS
Coach: Shane Slicer (19th year)
Class: A; Conference: KVAC
2021 results: 14-2, lost in A North quarterfinals.
Returning players: Seniors — Andrew Merrill (C), Wyatt Knightly (P/3B), Matt Doucette (OF), Isaiah Oufiero (1B/P), Dakota Grassi (OF); Juniors — Eli Soehren (P/SS), Kolby Brown (P/3B/OF); Sophomores — Nick Binette (INF/P), Hunter Tardiff (OF).
Key losses: Ethan Cutler (P/SS), Ty LeBlond (CF).
Promising newcomers: Juniors — Kaden Delano (P/INF), Connor Fitts (C); Sophomores — Brady Truman (2B), Jacob Carson (P/3B); Freshman — Carter Holbrook (OF).
Season outlook: The Vikings return nine players who played a lot last spring. Eli Soehren, Wyatt Knightly and Kolby Brown are expected to lead the pitching staff with all-conference catcher Andrew Merrill behind the plate. “I like this squad a lot,” coach Shance Slicer said. “They work hard and seem to have good chemistry. Many of them have been battle tested in baseball and certainly have enjoyed an excellent fall and winter going to the state championships in football and basketball. We need to stay hungry and get better each and every day. If that happens we will be in the mix.” Three players from Buckfield are on the Vikings’ JV team.

POLAND KNIGHTS
Coach: Charlie Pray (sixth year)
Class: B; Conference: WMC
2021 record: 7-9, lost in first round of B South playoffs.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Mitchell Bean, Hunter Gibson, Joe Hudson, Trevor Robbins; Juniors — Grady Hart, Aiden MacFawn, Lagan O’Driscoll, Drew Sayler; Sophomores — Regan Cohen, Adam Gwarjanksi, Sam Paladino.
Key loss: Dylan Sellinger.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Lucas Kelly; Juniors — Gene Grant, Parker Hackett.
Season outlook: Hunter Gibson and Mitchell Bean highlight a large group of upperclassmen that will be an advantage for the Knights. “(We) look to continue to ascend in the tough WMC,” coach Charlie Pray said. “A talented group of juniors is supplemented by a trio of promising sophomores. (We) look to improve (our) defense while continuing to be an aggressive offensive threat.”

SPRUCE MOUNTAIN PHOENIX
Coach: Jacob Bessey (first year)
Class: C; Conference: MVC
2021 results: 3-11, lost in first round of the C South playoffs.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Isaac Parker, Jayden Perreault, TJ Espeaignnette; Juniors — Lucas Towers, Garrett Hunt, Elie Timler, Logan Knight, Xander Richenbach, Reece Davis, Nate Holland, Jakobe Herrera; Sophomores — Griffin Achorn, Connor Roy, Laeton Ready.
Key loss: Jack Gilbert.
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Max Labonte, Eli Moffett, Alex Grimaldi, Skyler Hiscock.
Season outlook: Spruce Mountain returns eight starters, many of whom are upperclassmen. Isaac Parker and Lucas Towers received Mountain Valley Conference honorable mention last spring. “With depth at pitching and experience in the field, we’re not limiting ourselves to just the regular season,” first-year coach Jacob Bessey said. “We’re looking to make a run.”

ST. DOMINIC SAINTS
Coach: Bob Blackman (18th year)
Class: D; Conference: WMC
Last year’s record: 2-14, lost in D South semifinals.
Returning athletes: Junior — Miles Frenette (1B); Sophomores — Ashton Hammond (P/CF), Timothee Ouellette (P/SS), Ryan Bussiere (3B), Thomas Casserly (LF), Ridge Dionne (C), Ethan Pelletier (2B).
Season outlook: St. Dom’s returns just one junior, Miles Frenette, and the rest of the team is made up of 15 underclassmen.

TELSTAR REBELS
Coach: Scott Underhill (second year)
Class: C; Conference: MVC
Last year’s record: 4-11
Returning athletes: Senior — Brayden Stevens; Juniors — Will Doyle, Cameron Palmer, Evan Leach, Bode Leach.
Key losses: Cain Shatzer, Orion Fournier, Davin Mason, Teddy Doyle, Max Kruse.
Promising newcomers: Sophomores — Anthony Conant, Wyatt Lilly; Freshman — Brody Walker.
Season outlook: Coach Scott Underhill is excited about working to return the Rebels to the level they were on in the 1980s, when they were among the best in the Mountain Valley Conference. “Telstar is developing a program that was once a prominent fixture in the conference, from the late ’80s, and has an outstanding nucleus in order to achieve success in the classroom and on the field,” Underhill said. “Focus and discipline will be key attributes for (us) this season.” Will Doyle received MVC all-conference honorable mention last spring.

WINTHROP RAMBLERS
Coach: John Novak (third year)
Class: C; Conference: MVC
2021 results: 8-7, lost in first round of C South playoffs.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Logan Baird, Andrew Foster; Juniors — Matthew Beck, Tyler Shumway, Brayden Stubbert, Andrew Fay.
Key losses: Colby Emery, Gavin Perkins, Garrison Melendy.
Promising newcomers Freshmen — Connor Williams, Cole Dufour, Trent Collin, Carter Collin, Jaxon August, Will Grant, Carter Rivers, Braden Branagan.
Season outlook: Andrew Foster, who earned Mountain Valley Conference honorable mention, returns, as does Tyler Shumway, who was among the Ramblers’ top pitchers last spring.