BASEBALL

Coach: Ryan Jones (third year, 24-10-1 overall record)

2014 record: 10-7-1 (Lost 4-1, to Marshwood in Western A quarterfinals)

Top returning players: Zach Carreiro (Senior), Ben Irish (Senior), Sam Warren (Senior), Nate Wessel (Senior), Nick Lorello (Junior)

Pivotal games: May 1 MARSHWOOD, May 5 @ Portland, May 7 @ Cheverus, May 28 SOUTH PORTLAND, May 30 BIDDEFORD

Coach’s comment: “We should be pretty good. We lost Ben Greenberg, but we have 15 guys who can handle the bat and play solid defense. It’s a year of parity. We all have a chance. I just want the guys to have fun. We have good team chemistry. It will be a fun year. I’m looking forward to it.”

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The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough dug an 0-4 hole last season, then roared back to make the playoffs for the 10th year in a row. Graduation took a big toll when Ben Greenberg departed. Greenberg was Scarborough’s Spring Male Athlete of the Year, SMAA Most Valuable Player, Maine’s Mr. Baseball and Maine’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2014 and he won’t easily be replaced. The Red Storm’s cupboard is far from bare, however.

Carreiro (2-0, 1.59 earned run average in 2014) and the left-handed Warren (3.94 ERA last season) both saw a considerable amount of time on the mound last year and along with Wessel, will anchor the pitching staff. Junior Bayley Welsh will be the catcher this season, as Irish will move to third base. Lorello (shortstop) and senior Tim Ross (second base) round out a strong infield. Junior Josh Reed can play first, third or catch and will make a quick impact. Carreiro (who hit .276 in 2014), Warren and Wessel will spend time in the outfield when not pitching.

This team will have to grind out wins, but it has the pitching to hang tough with everyone. If Scarborough can play steady defense and hit the ball with regularity, there’s every reason to believe it will be in the hunt. A better start this spring wouldn’t hurt the cause.

SOFTBALL

Coach: Tom Griffin (26th year, 375-86 overall record, five state championships)

2014 record: 18-1 (Lost, 2-1, to Thornton Academy in Western A Final)

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Top returning players: Sophia Burnham (Senior), Ashley Gleason (Senior), Brittany Plowman (Senior), Chloe Gorey (Junior), Maggie Murphy (Junior), Abbie Murrell (Sophomore), Lilly Volk (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: April 24 @ South Portland, May 4 TA, May 15 @ McAuley, May 20 CHEVERUS, May 23 SOUTH PORTLAND, May 28 WESTBROOK, May 30 @ Biddeford

Coach’s comment: “We know our pitching, defense and bats are there. The question is can we find the 3-4-5 hitters to get big hits? We have plenty of kids back who were involved last year. We return 10 with varsity experience. We have six freshmen. It’s probably the best freshman class I’ve ever had. All four pitchers will see time. We’re strong off the bench. We’re hopeful. We want to be in a position to win every year. I like this team a lot. Any kid can carry us.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: If you go based on history, skip playing the season and give the Red Storm the trophy now, as they’ve won each of the past four odd numbered seasons (2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013), or as Griffin calls it, “Disney Magic,” alluding to the biennial trip the team makes to Florida. Scarborough is there now and regardless of where it plays this spring, it should be dominant again. Losing reigning Spring Female Athlete of the Year and SMAA Player of the Year Alyssa Williamson, along with clutch-hitting catcher Megan Murrell and do-everything Brenna Kent to graduation was difficult, but the Red Storm, as always, has an abundance of talent in reserve.

This spring, Burnham will be the ace. She went 6-0 with a 1.28 earned run average, striking out 28 batters while walking just eight during an honorable mention all-star campaign in 2014. Burnham will be pushed by Volk, who has really impressed in the preseason. Abbie Murrell and freshman Chloe Griffin (Tom Griffin’s niece) will also get a chance on the hill. Plowman will replace Megan Murrell behind the plate. Gleason will play second base (she didn’t make an error last spring) and pace the offense. She hit .538 during a first-team all-star campaign last season, producing a team-high 28 hits, scoring 25 runs, driving in 14 and stealing 13 bases. Gorey has already made a name for herself at shortstop and will team with Gleason to make up a stellar middle infield. Gorey hit .306 last spring and managed to score 25 runs and drive in 13. Murphy, an honorable mention all-star last season, will be the leadoff hitter. She hit .488, scored 23 runs and stole 13 bases in 2014. Abbie Murrell (.421, 12 RBI) is the cleanup hitter. Burnham (.473) is adept with the bat as well. Several other girls await their opportunity to shine (Griffin liberally uses everyone on the roster).

Scarborough will be pushed by defending regional champion Thornton Academy, Biddeford and perhaps a few others, but per usual, this team will be in position to win it all come June. Considering the year ends in an odd number, you have to like the Red Storm’s chances.

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BOYS’ LACROSSE

Coach: Joe Hezlep (eighth year, 88-18 overall record, five state championships)

2014 record: 10-4 (Lost, 13-4, to Thornton Academy in Western A semifinals)

Top returning players: Kevin Caldwell (Senior), Nate Howard (Senior), Anthony Quintiliani (Senior), Sam Ware (Senior), Sam Neugebauer (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: April 22 FALMOUTH, April 29 @ TA, May 9 @ Cape Elizabeth, May 13 CHEVERUS, May 27 @ Gorham, June 2 @ South Portland

Coach’s comment: “We’re inexperienced this year. Our senior leadership is good, but only a few play big roles. We have two freshmen, three sophomores and a handful of juniors who are first or second line guys. We have to get guys comfortable in their roles. We have the talent to be really good. The question is can the seniors provide enough leadership? Our strength will be the number of guys who can play. Class A is loaded this year. I imagine we’ll look far different in June than we do in April.”

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The Forecaster’s forecast: All good things must end and Scarborough’s four-year run atop Class A was culminated by Thornton Academy in the semifinals last June. The Red Storm once again graduated an abundance of talent and while this team has promise, it will take awhile to hit its stride, as evidenced by a 6-5 loss at Westbrook in the season opener Thursday.

This year’s team will rely on Howard, a first-team league all-star in 2014, to get the offense started in the faceoff circle. The attack features Neugebauer and senior Braden Kane, who is looking to win his third state title this school year, after doing so in golf and hockey. Ware is a veteran midfielder who can do a little of everything. Caldwell and Quintiliani are experienced defensemen. They’re joined by junior Wyatt Tanner in front of senior Isaac Rico and sophomore Dominic Joy, who are looking to replace the graduated Jordan Flannery in goal.

The Opening Day loss will quickly be forgotten. Previous Scarborough teams have started 0-1 and won it all. For this edition to get to a championship level, it will take steady growth. Seasoning will come in light of a challenging schedule. While defending champion South Portland and Thornton Academy are viewed as the favorites heading into the season, by June, they and everyone else will have to take the Red Storm seriously. A return to the pinnacle might be a stretch, but it’s never wise to overlook the state’s premier Class A power.

GIRLS’ LACROSSE

Coach: Michaela Wipfler (first year)

2014 record: 8-6 (Lost, 11-6, to Thornton Academy in Western A semifinals)

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Top returning players: Bailey Adams (Senior), Miranda Page (Senior), Kaitlin Prince (Senior), Abby Corbin (Junior), Emma Smith (Junior)

Pivotal games: May 9 WAYNFLETE, May 12 @ Gorham, May 14 TA, May 15 @ Yarmouth, May 19 MARSHWOOD, May 21 @ Massabesic, May 26 CHEVERUS

Coach’s comment: “We have a lot of talented players this year, both returners and new varsity players. From our goalie and defenders to the midfield and attack, we have strong leaders who will anchor us across the field. Though we have some tough games ahead of us, I have no doubt the girls’ strong work ethic and spirit will take them far. If we keep up the momentum that we’ve started the season off with, the girls are ready to make another run for the state game.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough struggled to find consistency last season and wound up bowing out in the semifinals for the second straight year. Marcia Wood then stepped down as coach after 111 wins and four Class A state titles (she’s now coaching at Freeport) and was replaced by Wipfler, who played at Deering. She inherits a team which could find its way back to the top.

Prince scored 35 goals in 2014 and was a first-team league all-star. She’ll be in the middle of the offense again with help from Adams (18 goals last season as a second-team all-star), Corbin (SMAA All-Rookie team in 2014) and Smith (an honorable mention all-star last year). Freshman Ellie Smith will look to score some goals as well. Defensively, Page, a first-team all-star last spring, leads the way, with help from junior Alex McCown and sophomore Maddie York. Sophomore Sami Shoebottom, Scarborough’s Winter Female Athlete of the Year for her hockey excellence, will be in goal.

The Red Storm will face many tests, including a pair of showdowns against Class B powers, but should be able to post a winning record for the 11th staight season. This program measures itself by what it accomplishes in June and it’s likely Scarborough will be the team best equipped to end Massabesic’s reign as state champion.

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OUTDOOR TRACK

Coaches:

(Boys) Derek Veilleux (14th year, one state championship)
(Girls) Ron Kelly (43rd year, 10 state championships)

2014 results:

(Boys) 3rd @ Class A state meet
(Girls) 19th @ Class A state meet

Top returning athletes:

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(Boys) Jacob Bloom (Senior), Maxim Doiron (Senior), Lucas Foerester (Senior), Will Fowler (Senior), Edward James (Senior), Colin Jones (Senior), Jerry Kenney (Senior), Hugh McSorley (Senior), Jacob Terry (Senior), Connor Doherty (Junior), Griffin Madden (Junior), Andrew Sholl (Junior), Colin Tardiff (Junior), Sam Rusak (Sophomore)

(Girls) Jenna Douglas (Senior), Kayla Griffis (Senior), Mina Puig (Senior), Sarah Rinaldi (Senior), Emma Koukos (Junior), Morgan McKeown (Junior), Laura Volan (Junior), Marisa Carbone (Sophomore), Kacey Foerster (Sophomore), Erin Ryan (Sophomore), Ellen Shaw (Sophomore)

Top foes: Cheverus, Deering, Sanford, South Portland, Thornton Academy boys; Thornton Academy girls

Coach Veilleux’s comment: “We have a strong team returning, led by our senior class. We have just about every event covered with quality. We’ll be very strong in the distance events, hurdles, relays and pole vault. A bulk of the athletes from the indoor team are running outdoors. They’re motivated after the loss indoors and have come into the season in the best shape I’ve seen in all my years coaching. Our goal will be to stay healthy and run our best during the championship meets.”

Coach Kelly’s comment: “We’re a young team. Our strengths are the pole vault, relays, javelin, high jump and distance. Development of young athletes will determine our final outcome.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough’s outdoor program has athletes who cover all the events this spring.

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The boys’ team athletes who just missed out on a state title indoors (Falmouth beat the Red Storm for the crown on the last relay) are ready to go and the rest of this talented squad is as well. Scarborough returns ample talent and has some promising newcomers to help the cause. Bloom, Foerester and Jones return from a first-place 3,200 relay team. Jones (runner-up in last year’s 800), Bloom and Foerester will be top threats again, along with Fowler and sophomore Shamus Malia. The mile and two-mile features Doherty, Sholl, Tardiff and Terry. Kenney (third in the 400) returns. Top hurdlers to watch include Doiron (fifth in the 110 hurdles and sixth in the 300 hurdles last year) and Madden (fourth in the 110 hurdles). On the field side, James is the reigning Class A runner-up in the pole vault. He’ll look to claim the top spot this time around. Rusak will also vault and jump. McSorley (fourth in the discus and sixth in the shot put last season) is the top thrower. There’s a lot of depth and talent on this roster. The Red Storm will be among the very best teams in a talented SMAA and by the time the state meet rolls around, they could have what it takes to bring home a championship.

On the girls’ side, Volan is the top returner. She came in fourth in the mile last season. Carbone, Douglas and Koukos return from a sixth-place 3,200 relay team and will also run distance, as will Griffis and freshmen Lucy Malia and Bethany Sholl. McKeown was also on that scoring 3,200 relay team, but will run the 400 this season, as will freshman Caitlin McCaffery. Freshman Samantha Saraceno is a threat in the 800. Freshman Gaby Panagakos leads the sprint contingent. Shaw competes in the hurdles. On the field side, Shaw returns after scoring seventh in the high jump. She’ll look to move up. Rinaldi is another top jumper. Foerster will contend in the pole vault. Puig pole vaults and throws the javelin. Freshman Natalie Taylor will also throw the javelin. Ryan throws the shot put. Lucy Bogdanovich is another thrower of note. Scarborough has the pieces in place to have a very good team. Look out come June.

BOYS’ TENNIS

Coach: Craig McDonald (15th year)

2014 results: 12-2 (Lost, 5-0, to eventual champion Falmouth in Western A semifinals)

Top returning players: Roy Garland (Senior), Andrew Paradis (Junior)

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Pivotal matches: May 4 @ Deering, May 15 @ Cheverus

Coach’s comment: “There are many question marks heading into the season. We only have two returning starters and we need to find five players to fill one singles spot and both doubles teams. This squad will definitely experience some growing pains, but hopefully we can come together and peak at the right time.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough has been the model of consistency over the past decade, averaging nearly 11 victories and making the playoffs each season. After graduating all-stars Max Ornstein, Ogden Timpson and Colby Whitaker, along with two others from the top seven, the Red Storm have to scramble to fill spots this spring.

Garland and Paradis both have singles experience and will be called upon to lead this team. Seniors Ryan Huber, Dan MacDonald and Tom MacDonald hope to step in and make an impact.

Scarborough is accustomed to winning and in a league devoid of a powerhouse, should remain a top contender. This group is quite capable of getting back to the playoffs and making some noise.

GIRLS’ TENNIS

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Coach: Steve Eddy (fourth year)

2014 results: 11-4 (Lost, 5-0, to eventual champion Falmouth in Western A semifinals)

Top returning players: Laura Henny (Senior), Jenny Hermann (Senior), Hayley Lawsure (Senior), Kaicee Flaherty (Junior), Emily Keenan (Junior), Megan Nathanson (Junior), Bryce Nitchman (Junior), Sophia Zidow (Junior), Maureen DeGrinney (Sophomore), Ashley Levesque (Sophomore), Kristen Levesque (Sophomore)

Pivotal matches: May 4 DEERING, May 6 PORTLAND, May 11 @ Windham, May 15 CHEVERUS, May 20 MCAULEY, May 26 TA

Coach’s comment: “I’m optimistic for the season. We’re still a young team, but relatively experienced, as we return 11 players who played in varsity matches in 2014, and we hope to improve on our semifinals appearance from last year. As always, the practice effort and results on the court will determine how good we are.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough has been to the semifinals or better for each of the past six seasons and this year’s squad could produce the same kind of success.

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Henny and Nathanson are returning league all-stars. Nathanson (a captain) will be in the first singles spot, while Henny will play No. 2. After that, uncertainty reigned at press time. Hermann (a captain) and Lawsure are veterans. Flaherty, Keenan, Nitchman and Zidow are primed to become household names and DeGrinney, Ashley Levesque and Kristen Levesque hope to play key roles.

The Red Storm could be the best team in the conference when all is said and done.

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

Senior Zach Carreiro is a valuable returner for Scarborough’s baseball team. He can pitch, play the infield or the outfield.

Nick Lorello is another key returner this season.

Senior Sam Warren will be a top pitcher for the Red Storm this spring.

Senior Nate Wessel will do whatever he can to help the Red Storm win.

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Chloe Gorey is back at shortstop for the Red Storm this spring.

Junior Maggie Murphy is Scarborough’s leadoff hitter. She’ll make this team go.

Senior Kevin Caldwell will be a key cog on defense for a Red Storm boys’ lacrosse team that finds itself in the rare position of not defending a state title.

Senior Nate Howard will be in the middle of Scarborough’s success this spring.

Sam Neugebauer scored some critical goals as a freshman. This spring, he’ll be an even bigger part of the Red Storm’s offense.

Bailey Adams is a veteran leader for a Red Storm girls’ lacrosse team eager to get back to the pinnacle.

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Look for Abby Corbin to continue to make a name for herself this season.

Kaitlin Prince will be one of the state’s elite players this season.

Emma Smith is another matchup nightmare for the opposition.

Edward James hopes to set the bar higher than his rivals, then clear it, this spring.

Griffin Madden will be one of the SMAA’s top hurdlers.

Sidebar Elements


Senior Brittany Plowman is one of many potent bats returning for Scarborough’s softball team, which looks to continue its recent run of odd-year success and win another Class A state championship.

File photos.

More photos below.


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