1. South Portland: The defending Class A state champion remains the team to beat, losing only three starters from a year ago. The Riots have great pitching in Alexis Bogdanovich and Erin Bogdanovich, strong hitting up and down the lineup led by catcher Katlin Norton, and exceptional defense.

 

2. Scarborough: The Red Storm continue to produce exceptional players. They have a talented junior class led by pitchers Mo Hannan and Dominique Burnham and catcher Abby Rutt, a rising star in sophomore Erin Giles and a couple of freshmen, Alyssa Williamson and Megan Murrell, who will have an immediate impact.

 

3. Thornton Academy: The Trojans have some of the top talent in the SMAA, led by junior pitcher Julia Geaumont and junior second baseman Chrissy Remmes and five seniors – Hannah Ebling, Lauren Titus, Vanessa McCrum Michelle Cote and Kristen Duross – who provide the leadership. If their defense holds up, they could pull a surprise in the tournament.

 

4. Greely: First-year coach Kelsey Bryant inherits a talented team with eight returning players. Junior shortstop Caroline Hamilton and junior center fielder Katie Whittum lead the Rangers, who could go deep in the playoffs. Hard-throwing sophomore Danielle Cimino will be the pitcher.

 

5. Biddeford: The Tigers are always fundamentally sound and this year return all but two starters. Pitcher Sarah Gilblair, catcher Amethyst Hersom and infielders Heather Fecteau and Katelyn LeBreux are among the top players in the SMAA.

 

6. Kennebunk: The Rams have one of the state’s best weapons in junior catcher Janelle Bouchard, who is regarded as the best catcher in the state for her offense (.604 batting average, seven home runs) and defense. But the Rams also have a strong pitcher in Hannah King and strong two-way players in shortstop Rachel Magalski and second baseman Carinn Burns.

 

7. Medomak Valley: The Panthers were upset in the Eastern Class B quarterfinals last year and return eight starters. Catcher Kasey Benner and center fielder Lindsay Ranquist are the headliners, but Vanessa Davis, Ericka Christiansen, Alanna Vose and Mallory Connor are strong, too.

 

8. Georges Valley: The last year of Buccaneers softball before a merger with Rockland could produce another Class C state championship. Georges Valley is once again loaded. Kennadi Grover, Jessica Veilleux, Jill Bradbury, Natalie Russell, Rachel Frye and Caitlyn Rich will lead the Buccaneers.

 

9. Fryeburg: The Raiders surprised everyone by winning the Western Class B title last year, and they return many key players. Senior pitcher Charlotte Lewis is back, as are first baseman Ashleigh Watkins, third baseman Maggie McConkey and catcher Carla Tripp, although Tripp will miss a couple of weeks with an injury.

 

10. Lincoln Academy: The Eagles made a surprising run to the Eastern Class B quarterfinals last year and could be even better with strong senior leadership. Pitcher Amelia Pennington returns with her 13-4 record and .500 batting average. First baseman Laura Soohey (.392) and catcher Marni Jones are also back.

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