Baseball Coach: Mike Rutherford

Last year’s record: 15-4, lost to Deering in Telegram League championship, lost in first round to South Portland

Key players: Scott Heath P/OF (Junior lefthander -6-0, 0.00 ERA, 40 IP, 3 unearned runs given up-14 hits-52 K’s 10 BB-.477 batting avg. 17 RBI’s); Sean Murphy P (Junior righthander 5-1, 39 IP, 1.26 ERA, 53 K’s, 10 BB); Zach Collett 2B (Junior .352-19 RBI’s); Zach Gardiner SS (Junior, .418, 11 RBI’s) and Jake Gardiner DH/1B (Junior, .333, 10 RBI’s) Key Games: Deering

Season Outlook: “With Heath and Murphy (11-1) we should be the favorite to win the Telegram League,” Rutherford said. “However, the line-up has to replace five starters. Christian Hamilton, Lance Ludka and Matt Foye were three of the top players in the league last year. We lost all three outfielders, two infielders and the catcher. For the team to win a state championship they need to find replacements in those key positions. With Heath and Murphy on the mound, it will allow the young Blazes to get experience in the regular season. We will only have one senior in the line up this year.”

Boys lacrosse

Coach: Josh Plowman

Last year’s record: 3-9

Key players: Alex Lakin, Jeff Morse, Garrett Poitras, Bradley Stiles, Dane Tupper, Brendon Wormell, Reece LeClair, Steve Sawyer and Austin Watts

Key games this season: Windham, Gorham, Bonny Eagle

Season outlook: “This year’s team is very athletic and hard working,” Plowman said. “The Blazes are looking to be competitive and make a run for the playoffs.”

Girls lacrosse

Coach: Debbie Henry

Last year record: 9-5 lost in semifinals to Thornton Academy

Key Players: Lizzy Conley, Goalie, second Team SMAA All Star Team last year; Danielle Miranda, Samantha Williams, Vanessa Bradbury and Ciera Bellino

Season Outlook: “Fourteen seniors have graduated from last years’ team so there are a lot of positions that will need to be filled this season,” Henry said. “It’s exciting to see who will come into the season ready to challenge for a starting varsity spot. We have one of the best goalies in the league returning, so that will definitely help the team. There is a lot of excitement with lacrosse season this year as the Blazes made it to the semifinals in the playoffs last year, which was the furthest our team has been. Some of our freshmen are coming off of playing for two years in junior high, which is a first for any of our freshmen. With the success of last season and the experience of our freshmen, I expect the enthusiasm of the girls to make our team improve daily.”

Boys tennis

Coach: Tim Gillis

Last year’s record: 9-4

Key players: Ian Karby, Dylan Gillis, Matt Cottrell

Key matches this season: Windham, Marshwood, Scarborough

Season outlook: “We lost our top three singles players to graduation, so we will be looking to rebuild, and perhaps sneak into the playoffs,” Gillis said.

Girls tennis

Coach: Mike Makin

Last year’s record: 8-7

Key players: Kelly DiPietrantonio and Mallory Driscoll return as the No. 1 and No. 2 players

Season outlook: “We lost two of seven starters, but lots of quality depth returns,” Makin said. “Six seniors have a chance to fill those vacancies.”

The Westbrook softball and track previews were not available as of press time.

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