BASEBALL

Coach: Andrew Wood (second year)

2014 record: 4-12 (no postseason)

Top returning players: Tim Brigham (Senior), Aaron Dobieski (Senior), Nate Ingalls (Junior)

Pivotal games: April 27 @ Yarmouth, April 29 @ Falmouth, May 1 YORK, May 9 YARMOUTH, May 13 GREELY, May 27 FALMOUTH, June 1 @ Greely

Coach’s comment: “This year, we return everyone but our third baseman. I think we’ll be able to compete. I don’t think people think we’ll be a top team, but we’ll be a sleeper. We can hit the ball from gap to gap and we can pitch. I think we’ll be pretty good.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: After a 3-3 start, the bottom fell out for the Capers in 2014, as they dropped nine of their final 10 games and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2000. This season, Cape Elizabeth is better equipped to compete and be a factor all the way through.

Several starters return and with some key additions, the Capers could be right near the top of the Western B standings. Ingalls is the top returning pitcher and he’ll also lead off and play centerfield. Brigham is back at shortstop. He has some pop in his bat. Dobieski will be at second and should also play a key role in the offense. It isn’t every day (or any day) that a program adds a freshman who has already verbally committed to a Division I school, but Cape Elizabeth has just that in freshman catcher Brendan Tinsman, who is planning to attend Wake Forest University in four years. First, he’s expected to make quite a mark at the high school level and could become one of the top hitters around right out of the gate. His older sister, Ashley, is a softball standout. Another key “addition” is sophomore Marshal Peterson, who was hurt as a freshman, but could be a top pitcher this year. Look for junior Dylan Roberts to make quite an impact in the outfield and at the plate.

This is a group which should be able to compete with everyone in a talented league. Look for this squad to bounce back with a vengeance.

SOFTBALL

Coach: Joe Henrikson (18th year, 225-81 overall record, one state championship)

2014 record: 18-1 (Lost, 8-3, to Wells in Western Class B Final)

Top returning players: Hannah Saturley (Senior), Ashley Tinsman (Senior), Tess Haller (Junior), Megan Nicholson (Junior)

Pivotal games: April 27 @ Yarmouth, April 29 @ Falmouth, May 8 @ Fryeburg, May 11 @ Gray-NG, May 13 GREELY, May 20 @ Poland, May 27 FALMOUTH, May 29 WELLS, June 1 @ Greely

Coach’s comment: “I’ve got a good team, but we have no experienced pitchers. We’ll make the most of it. My gut is we have a very potent offense. We’ll try to outscore teams and play good defense. I feel like I have the best second baseman and shortstop in the state. I’d like to see us in the middle-of-the-pack. I wouldn’t want to play us in the playoffs. We’ll have fun.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: A year ago, Cape Elizabeth posted the first undefeated regular season in program history and scored a whopping 160 runs in 18 games, but the season ended in heartbreak with a loss in the regional final. Graduation took six seniors, including both pitchers and this spring, the Capers have a lot of holes to fill. With that said, there is still reason to believe this squad will be among the best in Western B when all is said and done.

For starters, Cape Elizabeth boasts two of the most potent bats in the state. Tinsman, who will be a Maine Black Bear this time next year, is coming off a season which saw her hit .584 with five home runs, none bigger than a tying blast versus Yarmouth in the semifinals, and be named to the All-Conference first-team. The shortstop won’t see a lot of pitches to hit this season, but she figures to crush the ones she does. Then there’s Haller, the erstwhile catcher and another first-team all-star. She hit .489 and hit eight home runs in 2014, including the winning shot against Yarmouth in the playoffs. This season, Henrikson plans to put Haller at second base and utilize her defensive abilities in the field. You won’t find a better middle infield at the high school level. Nicholson will move behind the plate. Saturley is a top outfielder. The biggest question is on the mound. To win in high school softball, you must have steady pitching. The hope is that senior Lily Jordan, best known as the school’s girls’ hockey goalie, can get the job done. She won’t be overpowering, but if the Capers play steady defense behind her, they’ll compete. Cape Elizabeth lost its opener, 11-4, to visiting Yarmouth in a playoff rematch Thursday. In that one, the Capers gave up seven runs in the seventh inning after rallying to tie. Jordan pitched well in stretches before the game got away.

Cape Elizabeth will have to score a lot of runs again, but this team is capable. By June, even though they probably won’t have a high seed, the Capers will be a squad who can do some serious playoff damage.

BOYS’ LACROSSE

Coach: Ben Raymond (18th year, 219-39 overall record, nine state championships)

2014 record: 15-0 (Beat Yarmouth, 6-3, to win second straight Class B state championship)

Top returning players: Cole Caswell (Senior), Jack Drinan (Senior), Noah Haversat (Senior), Andrew Kelly (Senior), Ben Shea (Senior), Griffin Thoreck (Senior), Noah Wolfinger (Senior), Alex Narvaez (Junior), Riley Pillsbury (Junior), R.J. Sarka (Junior), Connor Thoreck (Sophomore), Owen Thoreck (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: April 28 YARMOUTH, May 1 @ Kennebunk, May 9 SCARBOROUGH, May 12 @ Falmouth, May 16 @ Brunswick, May 19 GREELY, May 29 @ Yarmouth, June 2 FALMOUTH

Coach’s comment: “We have a lot of returning offensive firepower. We return most of our goal scorers. We graduated a bunch on defense, but we’re working through that. It’s nice to have a bunch of seniors who have had success and have experience in multiple sports. We have a very good sophomore class. They haven’t lost a game in high school. Staying healthy will be very important for us. This group is very focused. Focused on the next game, not winning a championship at the end of the year. Hopefully, that will take care of itself.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Last year’s team was one of the finest in the storied history of the state’s premier program, but it’s quite possible that the 2014 Capers will wind up taking a backseat to the 2015 edition if all goes as hoped. After beating the opposition by an average of eight goals and repeating as Class B champion, Cape Elizabeth wasn’t devastated by graduation and instead returns a ton and adds a couple talented newcomers with familiar last names.

After scoring 178 goals (nearly 15 per contest) in 2014, this year’s offense could be even more potent, which is a frightening proposition for the rest of the state. Defenses can focus on Griffin Thoreck, an All-American who is heading to Lynchburg College next year, or Shea, a second-team league all-star a season ago, or Owen Thoreck, who had a breakout freshman campaign and played in the Underclass All-Star Game. Good luck stopping them and even if you do, Kelly and Sarka, or midfielders Caswell (who is healthy this spring), Pillsbury or Connor Thoreck can beat you. Three newcomers provide even more firepower. Senior Reese McFarland, the golf standout, is out for lacrosse and will play in the midfield. Freshman Finn Raymond, the coach’s son, will get an opportunity to gain possession in the faceoff circle. Freshman Tate Perkins, son of former girls’ team coach Jeff Perkins, is another player who will look to score. The Capers made an immediate statement Friday with an 18-6 win at Waynflete, as Griffin Thoreck had six goals and four assists, Pillsbury scored three times, Shea added two goals and five assists and Caswell and Connor Thoreck both scored twice. While it will likely be overlooked, Cape Elizabeth’s defense stands to be very strong as well. While All-American and Spring Male Athlete of the Year Tom Feenstra and all-star Trevor Gale graduated, the imposing Drinan and the two Noahs, Haversat and Wolfinger, are primed to slow the opposition. On the rare occasions teams get good looks at the goal, Narvaez, who was a revelation for last year’s squad, will be there to stop them.

This is a veritable all-star team, but they still have to go out and take care of business. Coach Raymond will keep his charges’ eye on the prize. While the likes of Brunswick (in a regular season showdown), Falmouth and Yarmouth will provide tests, come June, it’s hard to envision anyone other than the Capers hoisting yet another championship trophy.

GIRLS’ LACROSSE

Coach: Alex Spark (first year)

2014 record: 11-5 (Lost, 13-10, to Yarmouth in Class B Final)

Top returning players: Kate Bosworth (Senior), Rhoen Fiutak (Senior), Taylor Herrera (Senior), Emma Landes (Senior), Kirsten Rudberg (Senior), Melissa Rudberg (Senior)

Pivotal games: May 6 @ Falmouth, May 13 @ Kennebunk, May 18 WAYNFLETE, May 29 @ Yarmouth, June 3 FALMOUTH

Coach’s comment: “I’m very excited. I think we have players of all ages who can step up. Once we form team chemistry, we’ll be strong. I’d like to see us get to the postseason. I’d like a winning record.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Cape Elizabeth experienced high highs and low lows in 2014 in what was anything but a dull season. The regular year produced an up and down 8-4 record and was marked by the disappointment of two more losses to nemesis Waynflete and a season-ending injury to standout Hannah Newhall. The Capers weren’t expected to do much heading into the playoffs, but behind the brilliance of Spring Female Athlete of the Year Abby McInerney, now playing at Trinity College, Cape Elizabeth handled Falmouth in the quarterfinals, then ended a 12-year, 24-game drought at the hands of Waynflete with an epic last-minute victory in the semifinals. That would have been enough to qualify as a successful season, but the Capers then went to top-ranked Kennebunk and survived an overtime thriller to win the Western B crown for the first time. McInerney’s record eight goals weren’t enough as the fairy tale ended in the state game, but what a year it was.

There are some big changes this spring, starting at the top as Spark replaces reigning Coach of the Year Jeff Perkins. Spark is from New Jersey, played at the College of New Jersey and has coached as an assistant at Bonny Eagle and with the Maineiax program. She inherits a team that has to fill some holes, but could be very dangerous again come playoff time.

Any aspiring contender needs a strong goalie and Cape Elizabeth has that in Bosworth, a second-team all-star last season. Defensively, Fiutak returns and is joined by freshman Maggie Dadmun. The offense has several weapons, led by Landes, who stepped up her game big-time during the postseason last spring. Other potential scorers to watch include Herrera, senior Lindsay Stewart, sophomores Mariah Deschino and Hannah Bosworth and freshmen Chloe Chapin and Susie Graham. Kirsten Rudberg and Melissa Rudberg (a first-team all-star last season) are top midfielders. In Thursday’s opener, the Capers and Greely played to a 5-5 tie through overtime. The game will be completed May 4 in a “sudden victory” situation. Bosworth, Chapin, Deschino and Stewart all scored.

Cape Elizabeth will take its time getting up to speed, but if last season proved anything, it’s not how you start, but how you finish. With this much talent on the roster, it’s safe to say that the 2015 Capers will be in the hunt all the way to the end.

OUTDOOR TRACK

Coach: Doug Worthley (19th year, two state championships)

2014 results:

(Boys) 9th @ Class B state meet
(Girls) 20th @ Class B state meet

Top returning athletes:

(Boys) Eddie Galvin (Senior), Kyle Kennedy (Senior), Mitch Morris (Senior), Nate Weare (Senior), Harry Queeney (Junior),
(Girls) Eva Brydson (Senior), Emily Faria (Senior), Arden Wing (Senior), Anni Ball (Junior), Montana Braxton (Junior), Morgan Carpenter (Junior), Katie Oberholtzer (Junior)

Top foes: Falmouth, Greely, Yarmouth

Coach’s comment: “The boys have a very young team this spring, so we’re looking for some freshman indoor athletes to bear down. We are looking for many athletes to come along quickly and to make a run at the top six at states. The girls have a good mix of veterans and rookies. We have a lot of potential for success all the way through. We hope to improve over last year and place many athletes into the state meet, where we hope to be in the top 10.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Cape Elizabeth’s outdoor track program has the pieces in place for a strong spring season.

The boys return three state meet scorers. Kennedy came in third in the mile and fifth in the two-mile a year ago and looks to move up. Morris is another top distance threat. Sophomores Alex Depke and Mac Huffard provide depth. Junior Henry Shroder and freshmen Matt Concannon and Kiri McClure are sprinters to watch. On the field side, Galvin placed third in the triple jump and fourth in the long jump last season. Fresh off a state title in basketball, he hopes for even bigger things in his final high school season. Queeney and sophomore Zoeth Chalat are other jumpers to watch. Weare placed seventh in the discus in 2014 and looks to improve. Sophomore Jack O’Kelly will join him in the throws. This is a group that should hold its own during the league season and could move up at states. Perhaps into the top five, something which last happened in 2006.

On the girls’ side, Brydson and Faria return from a 3,200 relay team which came in fifth at states a year ago. Brydson (who was fourth in the 800 in 2014) and Faria again are top distance runners this spring. Braxton and Wing look to score in the sprints. Braxton will also jump, joining Ball, Carpenter and Oberholtzer. Sophomore Jade Hunter and freshman Kristen Penley add depth in the jumps. Like the boys, this group should only get better in the weeks to come and stands to make a move up the standings at the championship meets.

BOYS’ TENNIS

Coach: Andy Strout (37th year, 15 state championships)

2014 record: 14-2 (Beat Camden Hills, 5-0, to win second straight Class B state championship)

Top returning players: Luke Gilman (Senior), Ethan Murphy (Senior), Connor Sullivan (Senior)

Pivotal matches: April 28 WAYNFLETE, May 1 @ Falmouth, May 8 KENNEBUNK, May 14 FALMOUTH, May 19 @ Waynflete, May 26 @ Yarmouth

Coach’s comment: “We have solid singles. Our doubles is a work in progress. We’re hoping for another return to the state championship.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Cape Elizabeth lost twice to eventual Class A champion Falmouth last season, but otherwise had no peer as it repeated as the king of Class B. Despite graduating four of last season’s top seven, this year’s squad is primed to once again make a title run.

Top returners include second-team singles all-star Gilman, basketball state game hero Murphy and the veteran Sullivan. Strout will turn to seniors Matt Chipman and Parker Dinsmore and juniors Michael Mills (who played as a freshman), Wyatt Newhall and Jimmy Salerno to fill the holes.

As always, the Capers will be tested by the likes of Falmouth and seven-time Class C champion Waynflete during the regular season, but they have to be viewed as the team to beat in Class B until someone manages to do so. More hardware could be won come June.

GIRLS’ TENNIS

Coach: Sarah Boeckel (sixth year)

2014 record: 8-6 (Lost, 3-2, to eventual champion Greely in Western Class B semifinals)

Top returning players: Hannah Sawyer (Senior), Maddie Bowe (Junior), Taylor Hansen (Junior), Erin Whitcomb (Junior), Liv Clifford (Sophomore)

Pivotal matches: April 28 @ Waynflete, April 29 NYA, May 1 FALMOUTH, May 4 @ Greely, May 14 @ Falmouth, May 23 YARMOUTH

Coach’s comment: “We were lucky and only lost two of our top seven. We have a great group returning and some incoming freshmen who will see some court time. These girls come to play every day and fight for every match. We’re looking to grow and improve on our success from last year.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Cape Elizabeth came oh-so-close to knocking off eventual champion Greely last season and could be the team best equipped to replace the Rangers at the top of the heap this spring.

Clifford is back at first singles. She was a first-team all-star as a freshman and could be even stronger this time around. Bowe and Winter Female Athlete of the Year Sawyer were vying for singles spots at press time, along with Hansen and Whitcomb.

Between Bowe and Sawyer’s success in basketball and Boeckel’s magic touch in guiding volleyball to a title back in the fall, you have to believe there will be some stardust floating around the Capers this spring. This is a team that will hold its own against a tough conference and should wind up with a good seed for the playoffs. There, don’t be surprised if Cape Elizabeth makes a run at its first championship since 2007.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.

Aaron Dobieski will play a key role as the Capers contend this season.

Tess Haller is a potent and clutch hitter for a Cape Elizabeth squad which should score its share of runs this season.

The University of Maine-bound Ashley Tinsman figures to cause opposing pitchers sleepless nights this spring.

Connor Thoreck is one of many key players returning this spring for the loaded Capers.

Look for Jack Drinan to enjoy his final high school season.

Griffin Thoreck will be a matchup nightmare in the weeks to come.

Noah Haversat projects to be one of the state’s elite players this season.

Andrew Kelly is another top offensive threat for the Capers.

Alex Narvaez was a pleasant surprise in goal last spring and will be a solid last line of defense again.

Look for Ben Shea to score plenty of goals this season.

Owen Thoreck scored his share of clutch goals as a freshman and will be even more dangerous this season.

Noah Wolfinger has recovered from his knee injury and will be a force to be reckoned with.

Kate Bosworth is back in goal this season for the Capers.

Emma Landes scored some clutch goals for the Capers last season and should help pace the offense this spring.

Kirsten Rudberg is a top returning defender for the defending Western B champs.

Fresh off playing a key role on a basketball state champion, Eddie Galvin will look to soar to greatness in the jumps this spring.

Kyle Kennedy will be one of the conference’s best distance runners again this season.

Mitch Morris is another elite distance runner for the Capers.

Eva Brydson returns as a top threat in the 800.

Emily Faria will be a top distance runner this season.

Luke Gilman is a top returner this spring for the Capers.

Connor Sullivan is another key returner for the defending champions.

Liz Clifford had a strong freshman season and will be the Capers’ No. 1 singles player again this spring.

Erin Whitcomb is a key returning player for the Capers.

Sidebar Elements

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Last spring, Cape Elizabeth’s boys’ lacrosse team went undefeated and repeated as Class B state champions. This season, the Capers might be even better and are heavy favorites to make it three straight come June 20.

File photos.

More photos below.