Scarborough’s softball team celebrated another Class A title last season. This spring, the Red Storm have some holes to fill, but they’ll be right at the top of the heap again.

File photos.

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BASEBALL

Coach: Mike D’Andrea (fourth year, 30-23 overall record)

2018 record: 6-11 (Lost, 2-1, to Windham in Class A South preliminary round)

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Top returning players: Jack Clark (Senior), Noah Frink (Senior), Nolan Lamontagne (Senior), Zach Alofs (Junior), Nick Thompson (Junior)

Pivotal games: April 25 @ Falmouth, May 2 SOUTH PORTLAND, May 7 DEERING, May 9 @ Cheverus, May 18 @ TA, May 25 @ Portland

Coach’s comment: “We’re unproven. We have some talent, but it’s been hard to tell because of the weather and illness. We’ll have good pitching and good defense. I hope we’ll be better than last year. We’ll probably be in the middle tier.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough lost 10 games by either one or two runs in 2018 and this year, looks to turn some of those close losses into wins. Don’t be surprised if the Red Storm do just that.

Thompson was an SMAA first-team selection in 2018. He’ll be a top pitcher for Scarborough this spring. Alofs, Clark and sophomore Ryan Gamardella will also see time on the mound. Frink (honorable mention last season) projects to be the catcher. Lamontagne will be a top outfielder. A pair of freshmen, utilityman Nick Frink and shortstop T.J. Liponis, will step right in and make an impact.

The pieces are in place for Scarborough to return to the upper echelon of a balanced Class A South. If all goes well, the Red Storm will win more games than they lose and be a dangerous foe by the time June rolls around.

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SOFTBALL

Coach: Tom Griffin (30th year, 452-88 overall record, seven state championships)

2018 record: 20-0 (Beat Oxford Hills, 12-0, in six-innings, to win repeat Class A state title)

Top returning players: Courtney Brochu (Senior), Bella Dickinson (Junior)

Pivotal games: May 3 @ Noble, May 7 MASSABESIC, May 13 SOUTH PORTLAND, May 20 @ Thornton Academy, May 24 @ Windham

Coach’s comment: “We lost seven starters, a lot of power and offense and only have two seniors, but the kids are working hard. We’re putting it all together. It’s the youngest team I’ve ever had, but it might be the most athletic group. They’re just lacking varsity experience. We have a lot of interchangeable players. A lot of talent and depth. The question is how will the kids react in big-game situations? Hopefully by the end of the season, we’ll be ready to give it a run in the playoffs.”

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The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough has long been the gold standard in Class A South, winning 89 straight league games and the past two state titles in undefeated fashion. This spring, the Red Storm appear a little more mortal, due to a lot of question marks, but rest assured that they’ll figure it out as the season goes along and if they stumble a time or two. they’ll still be primed for more June glory when all is said and done.

Dickinson and Brochu are the team’s proven commodities. Dickinson will replace Chloe Griffin (Miss Maine Softball and Scarborough’s Spring Female Athlete of the Year a year ago) as the team’s ace and when she’s not pitching, she’ll anchor the infield at shortstop, where she’s played the past two seasons. Dickinson, a second-team league all-star in 2018, will also hit leadoff. Brochu will play second base and will be a top hitter. Senior Mia Kelley and freshman Caitlin Noiles (a potential top hitter) will also pitch. Sophomore Sylvia Foley (another potential top hitter) and freshman Katie Roy will see time behind the plate as the catcher. Sophomore Mollie Verrault will play a much bigger role this season as the shortstop or in the outfield, as well as at the plate. Junior Hannah Gower will be in the outfield and will have an opportunity to pitch. Junior Abby Roy will be at third base.

Several of these girls will soon be household names and Brochu and Dickinson will show them the way. Scarborough might not go 20-0 this season and it could lose to a league foe for the first time since 2013, but anyone thinking it’s not capable of winning a third straight state championship is apt to wind up disappointed.

BOYS’ LACROSSE

Coach: Zach Barrett (second year)

2018 record: 3-9 (no postseason)

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Top returning players: Andrew Granzier (Senior), Jared Nelson (Senior), Nick Quartararo (Senior), Nathan Taggart (Senior), Josh Baba (Junior), Hunter Lon (Junior)

Pivotal games: April 18 CAPE ELIZABETH, April 24 @ Falmouth, April 29 FALMOUTH, May 3 BRUNSWICK, May 8 @ Thornton Academy, May 16 @ Yarmouth, May 29 @ South Portland

Coach’s comment: “We’re looking good. We’re young, but we have a lot of enthusiasm. The guys want to be more competitive this year. They’re ready to go. I have a lot of guys who will make a mark. We hope to break the .500 mark and make the playoffs.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough had a rare down season last spring, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2000, but the Red Storm are primed to bounce back with a vengeance this spring.

Quartararo was a first-team league all-star last season. He’ll be the faceoff guy and will be a top middie, along with Taggart, who figures to be a top scorer. Granzier is another player who figures to do a lot of scoring and will play in the midfield and on attack. Defensively, Baba, Lon and Nelson are top returners in front of new junior goalie Austin Brown.

Scarborough has to navigate a daunting schedule, which includes the best teams in Class A. The Red Storm are far better equipped to compete with those foes this time around and they’ll be a far better team by the end of the year than when it starts. A return to the playoffs is likely and a postseason run wouldn’t come as a big surprise.

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GIRLS’ LACROSSE

Coach: Emily Field (second year)

2018 record: 2-10 (no postseason)

Top returning players: Katie Callahan (Senior), Erin Stolz (Senior), Tansey Hughes (Junior), Leah Manfra (Junior), Nicole Young (Junior), Kathleen Murphy (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: April 25 CHEVERUS, May 4 @ Waynflete, May 8 @ Falmouth, May 14 MASSABESIC, May 17 GREELY, May 23 WINDHAM, May 28 @ Kennebunk

Coach’s comment: “We’re young, but I feel like we have a lot of potential. We have a strong and enthusiastic group of freshmen on the varsity team and I’m excited to see how they’ll jell with the returners. We hung with the big teams last year. This year, I hope we can swing some games in our favor. I hope the girls feel successful this year.”

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The Forecaster’s forecast: After a tough season which saw several close defeats, Scarborough hopes to turn things around this spring and the Red Storm have reason for optimism.

Stolz was a second-team league all-star a year ago and returns on offense. She’ll also take draws. Callahan will be a top midfielder. Hughes and Manfra will be scoring threats up top. Young is a top returning defender. Murphy, a member of the SMAA All-Rookie team in 2018, is back for a second year in goal.

Several other players will have an opportunity to step up and shine and if that happens, Scarborough’s close calls will turn into victories and a winning record and a playoff trip will be the end result.

OUTDOOR TRACK

Coaches:

(Boys) Derek Veilleux (17th year, three state championships)

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(Girls) Ron Kelly (47th year, 10 state championships)

2018 results:

(Boys) 4th @ Class A state meet

(Girls) 4th @ Class A state meet

Top returning athletes:

(Boys) Alex Austin (Senior), Anthony Clavette (Senior), Noah Drapeau (Senior), Harrison Osborne (Senior), Connor Coffin (Junior), Tristram Coffin (Junior), Jarett Flaker (Junior), Ben Hatch (Junior), Nathan Mars (Junior), Erik LoSacco (Sophomore), Warren O’Shea (Sophomore)

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(Girls) Leah Dickman (Senior), Molly Murnane (Senior), Sarah Callahan (Junior), Ryanne Cox (Junior), Anna Gardner (Junior), Emily Labbe (Junior), Rachel Peterson (Junior), Elaina Panagakos (Sophomore), Grace Pettingill (Sophomore)

Coach Veilleux’s comment: “Our goal is to be healthy at the state meet. Last year that didn’t happen and we came up just short. We have a strong, experienced team hungry to perform at a top level. We’ll be looking for a steady progression throughout the season and to have our best performances when it matters in the state meet. The cross country kids will be looking for the triple crown.”

Coach Kelly’s comment: “We should be in the mix with Cheverus, Bonny Eagle, Gorham and Thornton Academy.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Both Scarborough teams look to make a run at an outdoor title this spring.

Scarborough’s boys have already won a Class A title this school year in cross country and indoor track and would love to produce an outdoor championship as a cherry on the victory sundae. While there are several strong teams standing in their way, the Red Storm’s athleticism and depth could propel them to the top. Standout Jarett Flaker was injured last year and didn’t compete as states, but he’ll have no peer in the sprints. Hatch (runner-up in the 100 and sixth in the 200 last spring), O’Shea, new senior David Undlin and junior Salvatore DeBenedetto will also look to score in the sprints. Hurdles to watch include Austin (sixth in the 110 hurdles in 2018), Clavette (third in the 110 hurdles last season) and freshman Jayden Flaker. Connor Coffin, Tristram Coffin, Drapeau, LoSacco, Osborne and freshman Zach Barry make up a solid distance contingent. On the field side, Hatch (second in last year’s long jump) and Clavette (second in the high jump, fifth in the triple jump in 2018) are top jumpers. DeBenedetto and Mars are throwers of note. If the Red Storm can stay healthy, they’ll be a powerhouse in the league and will have a great chance to finish atop the standings in June.

On the girls’ side, Labbe is the top returner as the defending Class A champion in the 100 hurdles and runner-up in the 300 hurdles. She’ll be a force again and will be joined by new junior Madison Marinko and freshman Annie Wright. Callahan and Murnane are experienced sprinters. Wright and senior Maggie Franz will also be heard from. In the distance events, look for Cox, Peterson, Pettingill, junior Emily Johnson and freshmen Emma Goodwin, Megan Randall and Kayla Werner to make a mark. Gardner was third in the pole vault a year ago and could soar even higher this spring. Dickman is coming off a fourth-place state finish in the javelin and will lead the throwing contingent with help from Panagakos. Marinko is a top jumper. These elements add up to a top contender, one that will be very tough to contend with in league meets and one that will likely score a lot of points at the state meet.

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BOYS’ TENNIS

Coach: Craig McDonald (19th year)

2018 results: 1-11 (no postseason)

Top returning players: Ethan Boardman (Senior), Aidan Bradley (Senior), Clay Raisnford (Senior), Jarod Glidden (Sophomore), Preston Rainsford (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment: “We return five starters, but we have to fill two spots from last year. Our newcomers look to make an immediate impact on the team. Our goal for the season is to clinch a playoff spot after missing the postseason in 2018.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough missed the playoffs last spring for the first time since 2004, but that figures to be an aberration. The Red Storm are primed to return to contention.

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Boardman projects to be the number one singles player. Clay Rainsford will play doubles. After that, it’s up in the air. Bradley, Glidden and Preston Rainsford are experienced. Senior Sam Curtis, juniors Ethan Jasa and Kevin Woods and freshman Ethan DiBiase are new to the team, provide depth and also look to fill spots.

Scarborough won’t be on the short list of title favorites, but look for dramatic improvement. The Red Storm will be a difficult foe throughout the regular season and if they get there, in the playoffs as well.

GIRLS’ TENNIS

Coach: Lincoln MacIsaac (12th year)

2018 results: 11-4 (Lost, 4-1, to eventual champion Falmouth in Class A South semifinals)

Top returning players: Amelia Hardy (Senior), Shaelyn Poulin (Senior), Abby Ricker (Junior), Ashley Sabatino (Junior), Carrie Timpson (Junior)

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Coach’s comment: “This team is really a great group to be around. They’re athletic, they love tennis and they get along really well. They also have a lot of ability. This is a really competitive group of athletic tennis players. They definitely practice hard every day and challenge each other to get better. We have at least 12 players returning that have won at the varsity level, so we think we have some depth that can help us get into the playoffs and make a run.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough has reached the semifinals or better 10 consecutive seasons and will be on the short list of teams trying to end Falmouth’s long title reign this spring.

Ricker (a second-team SMAA all-star last season) and Timpson will play singles. Hardy (a doubles all-star last year), Poulin and Sabatino are also seasoned. Several other girls hope to step in and make an impact. That group includes senior Tegan Tanner, juniors Ainslie Allen, Emilee Dempsey, Julia Boothe-Howe, Kellie Guerette, Sydney Koukos and Cassidie Wright, sophomore Mayne Gwyer and freshmen Kelsey Erb and Jasmine Yao.

The Red Storm might need some time to put the right pieces in the right places, but they’ll get there and be formidable by the end of the year.

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

Senior Jack Clark is a pitcher to watch for Scarborough’s baseball team this spring.

Junior Bella Dickinson, a standout shortstop the past two seasons, is pegged to be the ace pitcher this year for Scarborough’s softball team. She’ll also be a top hitter for the Red Storm.

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Senior Courtney Brochu will have an opportunity to shine in the field and at the plate this spring.

Senior Andrew Granzier is a top returner for a Scarborough boys’ lacrosse team looking to return to its accustomed place near the top of the standings.

Senior Nathan Taggart will score a lot of goals this spring for the Red Storm.

Sophomore Kathleen Murphy, an All-Rookie team selection as a freshman, is back in goal for Scarborough’s girls’ lacrosse team.

Junior Jarett Flaker will again be the sprinter the rest of the state is chasing this spring. Flaker and his Scarborough boys’ outdoor track teammates are looking for a Class A state title.

Junior Ben Hatch will be a top jumper and sprinter for the Red Storm.


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