BASEBALL

Coach: Derek Soule (16th year, 219-61-1 overall record, three state championships)

2014 record: 17-3 (Beat Caribou, 1-0, to win Class B state championship)

Top returning players: Gabe Axelsen (Senior), Will Bryant (Senior), Jordan Merrifield (Senior), Chaz Reade (Senior), Miles Shields (Senior), Calvin Soule (Junior)

Pivotal games: May 6 @ Yarmouth, May 8 FALMOUTH, May 11 YORK, May 13 @ Cape Elizabeth, May 22 @ Falmouth, May 27 @ York, June 1 CAPE ELIZABETH

Coach’s comment: “We graduated nine, but I don’t think we’re that far behind the top teams. I had a good group waiting in the wings. We have the potential to be better defensively than in previous years. I definitely see us as a playoff team and a team to be reckoned with down the stretch.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely redefined pitching brilliance last June, shutting out all four postseason foes en route to the Class B state championship, the fifth in the illustrious history of the program. After graduating a bevy of top seniors, the Rangers will have some holes to fill this spring, but they should be among the last teams standing once again.

Greely’s success is always built upon its pitching and this year, the Rangers will be paced by Bryant, who has a career mark of 9-1 with an 0.94 earned run average. Before taking his arm to Endicott College, Bryant, a two-time All-Conference selection, hopes to bow out with another championship. Sophomore Ryan Twitchell is a budding star on the mound. He’ll be a household name in no time. Junior Caleb Normandeau, a lefthander, is another arm for the opposition to fear. Axelsen and Merrifield could start or relieve. Sophomore Dylan Fried will be the full-time catcher this season. The top returning bats are Reade, the third baseman/designated hitter who hit .350 with 16 RBI in 2014, Shields, an outfielder who hit .344 last season, and Soule, who is moving to shortstop this year after batting .342 last spring. Junior Matt Pisini, the football quarterback, will move into the centerfield position. Junior Austin Nowinski, best known for his soccer exploits, will be in left.

Greely doesn’t have the experience of a year ago, but this intriguing roster should only get better and will be very formidable by June. The Rangers have shown that they can go a long way on pitching. Anyone overlooking this squad might be sorry.

SOFTBALL

Coach: Rob Hale (first year)

2014 record: 11-6 (Lost, 15-11, to Yarmouth in Western B quarterfinals)

Top returning players: Haley Felkel (Senior), Audrey Mann (Senior), Miranda Moore (Senior), Miranda Eisenhart (Junior), Sarah Felkel (Junior), Moira Train (Junior), Kayley Cimino (Sophomore) 

Pivotal games: April 23 FRYEBURG, May 1 POLAND, May 6 @ Yarmouth, May 8 FALMOUTH, May 13 @ Cape Elizabeth, May 18 @ Fryeburg, May 20 GRAY-NG, May 22 @ Falmouth, June 1 CAPE ELIZABETH

Coach’s comment: “In the Western Maine Conference, it’s a battle every game. Our defense will be our strength. We have speed and we can put the ball in play. We also have three solid pitchers. We have all the physical pieces. If I can figure out how to help the girls relax and block out distractions from outside the fence, we’ll be fine. Our preseason has been wonderful. The effort and enthusiasm has been outstanding.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Hale has been an assistant to several Greely coaches this century, but this spring, he takes over the varsity job. Hale inherits a team which got off to a 6-0 start last season and appeared bound for greatness, but the Rangers struggled down the stretch and lost a slugfest to Yarmouth in the playoffs. This year’s team should once again be near the top of the standings.

Haley Felkel, fresh off playing a key role on a basketball state champion, is the top returner. She was a first-team league all-star in 2014 and will be one of the top outfielders in the state and will also wield a potent bat. Moore figures to see most of the time on the mound. Cimino and freshman Kelsey Currier will also get their opportunity to pitch to Mann, who will see the lion’s share of time behind the plate. Sarah Felkel and Train help made up a solid infield. Eisenhart is another player to watch.

Greely will force the action on offense, taking the extra base and stealing with regularity. If the pitching is consistent and the defense comes through, the Rangers can beat anybody. In a season devoid of a heavy favorite, Greely has the ability to get to its second state final in three years.

BOYS’ LACROSSE

Coach: Mike Storey (fourth year, 24-16 overall record)

2014 record: 8-6 (Lost, 19-1, to eventual champion Cape Elizabeth in Western B semifinals)

Top returning players: Tim Adams (Senior), Gabe Belisle (Senior), Mitchell Mullin (Senior), Ryan Pomeroy (Senior), Harry Shain (Senior), Connor Wyman (Senior), Owen Potenziano (Junior), Alex Wetmore (Junior)

Pivotal games: April 28 @ NYA, May 1 @ Yarmouth, May 9 @ TA, May 12 KENNEBUNK, May 19 @ Cape Elizabeth, May 27 FALMOUTH, June 1 NYA, June 3 @ Kennebunk

Coach’s comment: “We’ll miss some players who departed, but others have developed well. We have a solid crew. We can play with anybody. We’re better than last year. We’ll take another step forward. We’re gaining ground in lacrosse IQ and in strength of players. I feel like we keep closing the gap. It’s definitely the most talented team I’ve had.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely’s great misfortune continues to be that it is trapped in a region with the two best teams in Class B (two-time champion Cape Elizabeth and powerhouse Falmouth), which means that even if it’s third-best, it won’t get to the regional final. Storey feels his team is getting closer and that trend should continue this season.

Mullin, a first-team all-star last year, returns to pace the offense. The Rangers figure to have plenty of scoring depth this spring, as Adams, Belisle, Potenziano and Wetmore all have the ability to tickle the twine. Sophomore Josh Lawless and freshman Tim Coyle (who will take faceoffs) add depth. Defensively, Shain (a second-team all-star last year), Pomeroy, Wyman and senior Hunter Whiting, a transfer from Gould Academy, make up a formidable unit in front of junior Dylan Sinclair and sophomore Grady Wood, who are vying for time in goal.

Greely will again measure its progress by how it does against the league’s top teams. Don’t be surprised if the Rangers continue to creep closer.

GIRLS’ LACROSSE

Coach: Becca Koelker (third year, 15-11 overall record)

2014 record: 6-7 (Lost, 7-6, to York in Western B quarterfinals)

Top returning players: Kelsey Otley (Junior), Maggie Reed (Junior), Katherine Leggat-Barr (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: April 29 NYA, May 2 WAYNFLETE, May 6 @ NYA, May 16 @ Massabesic, May 22 @ Yarmouth, May 29 @ Falmouth, June 4 @ Kennebunk

Coach’s comment: “We’re really young. We’re babies. We graduated 13. We have a lot of athleticism. The girls work hard and they’re coachable. I’m not really sure what to expect. We need to get comfortable with each other. I think we’ll be a top team in the conference and make it to the playoffs.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely might be young, but does it ever boast some promising athletes.

The Rangers do return Otley, who will take draws and likely score plenty of goals, Reed, who will anchor the defense, and Leggat-Barr, who can run all day and be a factor all over the field. Juniors Maegan Dougherty and Meghan O’Donovan will see bigger roles this season and look to score with regularity. Freshman Courtney Sullivan, who has already impressed during soccer and hockey, could quickly become a household name in the spring, taking draws and making things happen on offense. Replacing Krystyna Rybka in goal is a challenge and at press time, Koelker wasn’t sure of who might assume that role. It could be freshman Greta Vancuran, but she might play in the field. Stay tuned. One thing for sure is that Greely will utilize its athleticism.

There will be a learning curve, but this group could qualify for the postseason for the fifth year in a row and be very dangerous by the time the playoffs roll around.

OUTDOOR TRACK

Coach: John Folan (22nd year, six state championships)

2014 results:

(Boys) 15th @ Class B State Meet
(Girls) 2nd @ Class B State Meet (WMC meet champions)

Top returning athletes:

(Boys) Ben Ray (Senior), Ryan Morrison (Junior), Connor Rog (Junior)
(Girls) Emily Mason (Senior), Sophia McMonagle (Senior), Julia Ramseyer (Senior), Kristina Smith (Senior), Alyssa Coyne (Junior), Siana Emery (Junior), Sam Pynchon (Junior), Jamie Keisman (Sophomore)

Top foes: Falmouth, York

Coach’s comment: “The girls will be top three, along with Falmouth and York. The boys hope to be.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely will cover the events nicely this season and both squads figure to compete.

The boys return state meet scorers Ray (fourth in the pole vault), Rog (fourth in the 800) and Morrison, who joined Ray and Rog on a fourth-place 3,200 relay team. The sprint contingent features seniors Sam Doolittle and Matt Woolverton and junior Chris Perry. Senior Chris Byron and junior Eric Light run middle distance. Junior Kyle Hansen joins Morrison and Rog in the distance races. On the field side, seniors Malik Black and Ben Ingraham, junior Nathaniel Chapin and sophomore Paul Bischoff all look to make noise in the jumps. Ray is again a top vaulter. He’s joined by junior Sam Bonnevie. The Rangers have all the pieces in place to be very strong in the league and to return to the top 10 at states, where they resided every year from 2008-13.

On the girls’ side, while standout Kirstin Sandreuter’s nonpareil performance in the distance (she had 26 points by herself at states a year ago) will be impossible to replace, eight scorers return, suggesting Greely could be very formidable throughout the season. Coyne is lone returning champion, having taken the discus crown a year ago. She hopes to add a shot put title (she was runner-up in 2014). Senior Mika Gallati, junior Samantha Kane and freshman Lizzie Brown also compete in the throws. Pynchon was second in the high jump last season and looks to move up a spot. Sophomores Emilee McGillicuddy and Lauren Williams and freshman Chloe Waldreap are other jumpers to watch. McMonagle hopes to move up from sixth in the pole vault. She’s joined by seniors Mikela Nolin and Lucy Wetzel. Emery was fourth in last year’s racewalk. She’ll be strong again. Keisman placed fifth in the 300 hurdles last June. She’ll get company this spring from junior Jocelyn Mitiguy. Ramseyer finished fifth in the mile and was part of a runner-up 3,200 relay team last season. She and Mason (who was sixth in the two-mile and part of the second-place 3,200 relay) lead the distance contingent. They’re joined by senior Emily Follett, juniors Maggie Crosby and Sophie Stickney and freshmen Olivia Bucknam and Kate Curran. Smith (seventh in the 800, part of the 3,200 relay) is the top middle distance runner. The sprints feature seniors Maddy McKenney and Kristina Volta and freshman Katie Steinberg. Freshman Caroline Swaney has the capacity to compete in several different events. The Rangers’ depth and talent is undeniable. Whether they can get past Falmouth and York in the league, or Waterville at states is the big question. Look for another very strong season from this squad.

BOYS’ TENNIS

Coach: Bert Kendall (10th year)

2014 record: 2-10 (no playoffs)

Top returning players: Mitchell Day (Senior), Chris Goding (Senior), Ben Jagolinzer (Senior), Jack Pacent (Senior), Blaine Ventre (Junior)

Pivotal matches: May 4 @ Cape Elizabeth, May 6 WAYNFLETE, May 11 FALMOUTH,  May 12 @ Yarmouth, May 15 YARMOUTH, May 19 @ Falmouth, May 22 @ NYA

Coach’s comment: “We’ve had three down years and we’re hoping to bounce back in 2015. Hopefully our newcomers and some consistent play by our returners will let us win more of the close losses we had last year. Our goals are always to improve, have fun and make the playoffs as we used to. We should improve.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely got off to a good start in 2014, winning two of its first three matches, but the Rangers dropped their last nine and missed the postseason for the fifth season in a row. Greely is primed to return to contention this spring and boasts some promise.

Jagolinzer and Ventre both played singles last season and at press time, were vying for singles spots, along with Day, Goding, Pacent, senior exchange student Augusto Martinez and freshman Duncan Lary. Sophomore Ryan Weeks and freshman Tim Kendall are other players to watch.

The Rangers should be able to hold their own against everyone but the elite powers. If Greely can get to .500 or better, it might just make the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

GIRLS’ TENNIS

Coach: Ben Caswell (third year, one state championship)

2014 results: 15-1 (Beat Waterville, 4-1, to win first Class B state title)

Top returning players: Jessie Hoffman (Senior), Sam Kennedy (Senior), Mia Lambert (Senior), Alex Tebbs (Junior), Kathryn Pare (Sophomore)

Pivotal matches: May 1 @ York, May 4 CAPE ELIZABETH, May 6 @ Waynflete, May 11 @ Falmouth, May 12 YARMOUTH, May 13 FALMOUTH, May 15 @ Yarmouth, May 22 NYA

Coach’s comment: “We have the majority of our core returning this year and I’m hoping we can find ourselves near the top of the standings again. We know we’ll have a target on our backs and that everyone in the league will bring their best when they play us. I hope the girls realize the situation we find ourselves in this year and that we play up to our potential. If we do, then a trip back to the Western Maine Final isn’t out of the question. From there, anything can happen and I hope our experience helps out.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: For decades, the Greely girls’ program was a regular contender, but could never take the final step and get to and win a state title. That all changed last spring when the Rangers went all the way for the first time. While standout Allie Eaton graduated, Greely has plenty back and with unstoppable Falmouth still in Class A for the playoffs, the Rangers like their chances to repeat.

The top returners are Pare, a second-team league all-star, and seniors Hoffman, Kennedy and Lambert and Tebbs. They’re playoff tested and ready to lead this squad to great things. Freshman Izzy Evans is primed to become a major contributor as well.

If the hunger remains, Greely should be able to boast another strong record and be in position to do great things in June. After finally reaching the pinnacle, the Rangers would love to do it all over again.

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

Will Bryant will be the Rangers’ ace this season as Greely seeks to repeat in Class B.

Calvin Soule will move to shortstop this season.

Fresh off playing a key role on the state champion girls’ basketball team, Haley Felkel will go all out to lead the softball squad to glory.

Miranda Moore figures to see most of the innings on the mound this spring for the Rangers.

Sophomore Kayley Cimino will make her presence felt on the mound and at the plate.

Moira Train will do whatever it takes to lead the Rangers to victory this season.

Ryan Pomeroy is a top defender for the Rangers.

Mitch Mullin was an all-star in 2014 and should score a lot of goals again this spring.

Junior Kelsey Otley is a top scoring threat for the Rangers girls’ lacrosse team.

Katherine Leggat-Barr’s athleticism will help Greely to great things this spring.

Maggie Reed is a top defender for the Rangers.

Ryan Morrison will be a top distance threat for Greely’s boys’ outdoor track squad.

Alyssa Coyne won the Class B discus title in 2014 and is looking to add a shot put crown this spring.

Samantha Pynchon came in second in the high jump last season. She’s aiming for the top spot this spring.

Junior Alex Tebbs is another top returner for the girls’ tennis squad.

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Sophomore Kathryn Pare was part of Greely’s first-ever girls’ tennis state championship team a year ago and hopes to lead the Rangers back to the pinnacle in 2015.

File photos.

More photos below.