Baseball
Coach: Rocky Myers (17th season)
Last year’s record: finished regular season at 12-3, lost in the West A semifinals
Players to watch: seniors Joel Mundy (SS), Jon Dahms (C), Brian Jenkins (1B/2B), Kyle Donaldson (P/OF), Ryan McMullen (CF) and Nate Sturgis (P/OF); junior Mustafa Jamal (P/INF)
Outlook: The Rams return a solid senior core and Myers said there is “quite a battle going on for these other starting positions.” As per usual, Myers expects his team to contend for a playoff spot while playing good defense and throwing strikes.
First game: April 24 vs. Windham at 1 p.m.
Softball
Coach: Pete Walker (13th season)
Last year’s record: finished regular season at 11-5, lost in West A quarterfinals to Deering
Players to watch: seniors Monique King (OF), Chantel Tijssen (OF), Krista Keene (1B), Bri Verrill (1B), Hilary Webster and Kate Perkins; juniors Sara Burnheimer (SS), Mia McGill (C), Kelsey Crowe (P), Rachel Fogarty (OF) and Chelsea Clark (1B); sophomores Annie Mitchell (2B) and Lauren Chouinard (3B)
Outlook: Junior Rachele Burns, an all-SMAA shortstop and co-defensive player of the year, as well as the Rams’ top hitter a year ago, is likely out for the entire season after suffering a torn ACL playing basketball. Burnheimer, an all-conference second baseman, will take over the shortstop duties. Crowe will be relied upon heavily on the mound, but has a veteran defense behind her.
“It’s going to be a very competitive league,” Walker said. “I’m optimistic we can be in the hunt. It’s going to be a fun time.”
First game: April 25 vs. Kennebunk at 1 p.m.
Boys lacrosse
Coach: TJ Bell (first season)
Last year’s record: finished regular season at 4-8, missed playoffs
Players to watch: senior Brendan Ryan (attack), Scott Ekin (attack), Brady Laughlin (attack), Duncan Allen (midfield), Alex Chase (midfield), DJ Hanson (midfield), Aaron Gile (midfield) and Travis Plowman (defense); juniors Jake Veil (midfield), Tim Talmage (midfield) and Clayton Loubier (defense).
Outlook: After losing some close games last season, the Rams closed the year with two wins. The team has a lot of experience, especially upfront and at midfield.
“With a huge pool of talented athletes and a tradition of winning in Gorham athletics we really should be making strides to becoming a top-notch program,” Bell said. “Given our schedule and our level of experience, I think we should have 12 very competitive games.”
First game: April 29 vs. South Portland at 4 p.m.
Girls lacrosse
Coach: Ashley Dyer (first season)
Last year’s record: finished regular season at 5-7, lost to Cheverus in West B quarterfinals
Outlook: Dyer takes over a team with postseason experience. The Rams start the regular season with home games against Bonny Eagle and Cape Elizabeth before hitting the road to take on defending Class A state champion Massabesic in game No. 3.
First game: May 1 vs. Bonny Eagle at 4 p.m.
Boys tennis
Coach: Viet Ly (fourth season)
Last year’s record: finished regular season at 8-4, lost to Windham in West A quarterfinals
Players to watch: seniors Aaron Bergeron, Isaac Pease, Kiet Thai, Eric Custeau, Kyle Reinheimer and Jacob Shorty.
Outlook: With an experienced, senior-laden team, the Rams have high expectations. “We expect to be in the top three teams with a talented senior class that has been with us since their freshman year,” Ly said. The coach said, “staying clear of injuries, winning key points in tough matches, making finals and improving from last year” will be important factors in the team’s success.
First match: April 28 at Sanford at 3:30 p.m.
Girls tennis
Coach: Sonja Frey (23rd season)
Last year’s record: finished regular season at 11-1, lost to McAuley in Class A West semifinals
Players to watch: seniors Kate Bowring and Libby Johnston; juniors Shannon O’Brien and Brittany Raymond; sophomore Hannah Shorty
Outlook: The Rams return a number of players from last year’s successful team. Bowring (last year’s No. 1 singles player), Johnston (last year’s No. 3 singles player) and Shorty (No. 1 doubles last season) should be tough at the top. O’Brien and Raymond were 11-1 as a No. 2 doubles team last season. There are a number of other players competing for the remaining varsity spots. The sky is the limit for this team.
“We have a strong, seasoned team with tournament experience,” Frey said. “I am confident that we should do very well, and my goal is for us to go to the state championship.”
First match: April 28 vs. Sanford at 3:30 p.m.
Boys outdoor track
Coach: John Wilkinson (24th season)
Last year’s record: SMAA conference champions, third at Class A state meet
Athletes to watch: seniors Andrew Arena (sprints) and Justin Villacci (sprints); juniors Lucas Seiferth (race walk), Chris Esposito (jumps and throws) and Brett Walker (jumps and throws); sophomore Cam Stevens (sprints); freshman Kam Alexander (sprints and hurdles)
Outlook: The Rams are looking to carry the momentum outside following a strong fourth-place finish at this past winter’s Class A indoor track state meet. Despite losing a number of seniors from last year’s outdoor squad, Arena, Seiferth, Stevens and Villacci are all returning state meet scorers and should keep the Rams very competitive once again.
First meet: April 30 vs. Bonny Eagle, Deering and Marshwood at 3:45 p.m.
Girls outdoor track
Coach: John Caterina (12th season)
Last year’s record: third at SMAA conference championship, fifth at Class A state meet
Athletes to watch: seniors Alyson Fearon (sprints), Leigh Maniscalco (sprints and jumps), Liz Demski (race walk), Corey Perkins (jumps), Lindsay Hanson (jumps), Athena Beaulieu (high jump) and Samantha Owens (jumps); juniors Nicole Belhumeur (javelin), Siobhan Bolinger (throws) and Sarah McCullough (mid-distance); sophomores Kayleigh Ballantyne (sprints), Marissa Owens (sprints and jumps), Hannah Prince (sprints), Emily Southard (jumps), Kelsey Rex (distance) and Rachel Wilkinson (distance)
Outlook: Gorham returns all its scorers from last year’s state meet: Fearon placed second in the 100 and 200, Maniscalco scored in the 100, 200 and 300, and Demski placed third in the race walk. Wilkinson is coming off an excellent indoor season and will be a threat in distance events.
“With the veteran leadership and talent of the large group of seniors and the added experience to the current juniors and sophomores, Gorham should be one of the top teams in both the SMAA and state Class A,” Caterina said. “Other top teams should include Scarborough, Bonny Eagle, Thornton, Edward Little and Brunswick. This could be one of the most closely contested state meets in recent years.”
First meet: April 29 at Marshwood with Bonny Eagle and Deering at 3:45 p.m.
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