Baseball
Coach: Nolan Beckwith
Last year’s record: 8-8-lost in Class B prelims to Yarmouth
Key players: Taylor Valente (Senior), Jesse Ordway (Senior), Chris Norton (Senior), Ryan Blenk (Senior), Ryan Cavallaro (Junior), Heath Martell (Junior), Pat Robinson (Sophomore)
Key games this season: Greely, Cape Elizabeth, Lake Region, Wells
Season outlook: “We look to get back into the playoffs as we return a solid group,” Beckwith said. “The key to our offense will be getting guys on in front of Taylor Valente. Infielder Chris Norton returns as one of the top hitters from last year’s team. Valente is dangerous at the plate, he can hit for power and average (.375 avg. with 4 HRs last year). Valente along with fellow senior Jesse Ordway and sophomore Pat Robinson will be counted on to lead the pitching staff. We will be young in some key spots as junior Ryan Cavallaro will move into the shortstop hole, junior Heath Martell looks to change positions and fill the hole at first base and sophomore Tim Lerette and junior Brandon Merry will get time behind the plate. We are going to win games with our pitching and defense.”
Girls outdoor track
Coach: Erin Maguire
Last year’s record: 15-9, seventh overall in the Western Maine Conference championships, 17th at Class B state championships
Key athletes: Jess Mitaly, pole vault (WMC indoor champion; Amanda Peterson, sprints (200 meter indoor state champion); Carissa Drouin, throws; Emily Detroy, throws; Jasmine Turner, high jump, 200 meters
Key meets this season: Western Maine Conference Meet at Yarmouth May 29, Class B state meet at Windham June 5
Season outlook: “The girls outdoor track team is bursting at the seams with youth,” Maguire said. “With over 60 girls signed up this spring, over two-thirds of the team are freshman and sophomores. The girls are coming off one of their most successful indoor seasons in the past 10 years, placing sixth at Class B states, up from 16th last year. They will be led by a strong group of senior throwers Carrisa Drouin, Mary Wiley, and Emily Detroy and senior pole vaulter Jessica Mitaly. They will be strongly supported by up and coming sophomores Amanda Peterson who took no prisoners this winter, undefeated in the 200 meter dash all season and Jasmine Turner who looks to improve in the high jump and 400 meters. The team is looking to see what surprises lie in the over 30 new athletes this spring.”
Softball
Coach: David Getchell
Last year’s record: Regular season 12-4, 2-1 in postseason. Runners up in Class B West.
Key players: Laura Getchell, Abby Ryan, Taylor Damon, Morgan Wilson, Kassie Wilson, Alicia Valente and Rachael Edson
Key games this season: “All of them,” Getchell said. “We will take nothing for granted!”
Season outlook: In his first year as coach, Getchell is looking for the Patriots to make another deep playoff run after last spring’s playoffs ended with a loss in the regional finals to Fryeburg Academy. Getchell will have at least one familiar face on the team, his daughter Laura is one of the top pitchers in the league. “We’ll look for a repeat berth in the Western playoffs, and we’ll be looking to win and go to the state title game,” coach Getchell said.
The Gray-New Gloucester boys track preview was not available as of press time.
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