BASEBALL

Coach: Bill Ridge (second year)

2014 record: 7-10 (Lost, 8-3, to Wells in Western B preliminary round)

Top returning players: Nathaniel Cyr (Senior), Pete Lamagna (Senior), Jack Davenport (Junior), Bennett Hight (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: April 29 YARMOUTH, May 1 FALMOUTH, May 4 YORK, May 6 @ Cape Elizabeth, May 15 @ Greely, May 27 @ Yarmouth

Coach’s comment: “We’re hoping to be a playoff team. We like our chances with our pitching staff. They’ll keep us in most games. We need to hit more than we did last season, but we have a lineup with eight out of nine hitters returning.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Freeport started 0-5 a year ago, but really turned it on and qualified for the playoffs. Even though the Falcons lost to Wells in the preliminary round, their late success is something to build on. With so much talent returning, Freeport believes it can seriously contend this season.

On the mound, Davenport (2-3 last year with a 1.77 earned run average) and Lamagna (3-3, 1.91 ERA) make up a formidable twosome. Junior Caleb Rice will also see key innings. The offense features Lamagna (.440, 10 RBI, 10 stolen bases during a second-team all-star campaign last season), who plays centerfield when he’s not pitching, Davenport (.391, 3 HR, 15 RBI during a second-team all-star campaign in 2014), who plays at first or shortstop when he’s not on the mound and rightfielder Hight (.285, 2 HR, 9 RBI in his freshman season). Cyr, the third baseman, has experience. Freshman Colby Wagner, who will catch and play the outfield, is a key addition.

The Falcons aren’t viewed at the level of teams like defending Class B champion Greely, perennial power Falmouth, Yarmouth or York, but they’ll contend day-in, day-out. If Freeport can get off to a better start this season, look out, they’ll post a winning record and be in position to enjoy a longer postseason stay.

SOFTBALL

Coach: Jason Daniel (first year)

2014 record: 4-12 (no playoffs)

Top returning players: Jill Baker (Senior), Krista Bertrand (Senior), Kaitlin Johnson (Senior), Bailey Karnes (Junior), Morgan Karnes (Junior), Brianna Bellefleur (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: April 29 YARMOUTH, May 1 FALMOUTH, May 6 @ Cape Elizabeth, May 7 POLAND, May 13 @ Gray-NG, May 27 @ Yarmouth, June 1 GRAY-NG

Coach’s comment: “It’s a small team. Only 12 on varsity. I hope to keep the kids’ confidence level up. I want them to feel good about what they do on the field. We’re a really young team, but we have a lot of options. I feel like we can be a little better than last year. I feel good about our infield.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Despite a late-season surge, Freeport missed the playoffs for the 12th year in a row. This season, the Falcons have a new coach in Daniel, who spent the past three years as the program’s junior varsity coach. He’s a Freeport High graduate and played baseball and soccer in high school. Daniel inherits a squad with some talent.

The pitching will be done by Bellefleur (a lefthander), Bailey Karnes and freshman Megan Cormier. Johnson and Morgan Karnes will see time behind the plate. Bertrand is a top infielder. Baker anchors the outfield between a couple freshmen, Lauren Schenker and Brianna Welch.

This group needs some early confidence. If the Falcons win some games, they could compete in a league devoid of a heavy favorite.

BOYS’ LACROSSE

Coach: Geoff Arris (seventh year, 34-45 overall record)

2014 record: 9-6 (Lost, 16-3, to Yarmouth in Eastern B Final)

Top returning players: Ramsay Dodge (Senior), Jake Perry (Senior), Sam Wogan (Senior), Eli Fox (Junior), Brady LaFrance (Junior), Zack Owen (Junior), Zac Wogan (Junior), Perrin Davidson (Sophomore), Evan Donald (Sophomore), Connor Dostie (Sophomore), Matt Roy (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: May 5 KENNEBUNK, May 7 @ Camden Hills, May 11 @ Waynflete, May 23 GREELY, June 2 WAYNFLETE

Coach’s comment: “We’re returning almost everybody. We’re starting from a very good place. We’ve had an encouraging start. I’m feeling pretty good. We finished very strong last year and we hope to keep that momentum going. I hope to make it back to the postseason and show that last year wasn’t a fluke.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: A year ago, Freeport won two playoff games and reached the regional final for the first time, providing a jolt for the program. This season, the Falcons have some top returners and expect to be in the hunt for a top spot in Eastern B once again.

The top returner is reigning Spring Male Athlete of the Year Sam Wogan, a captain, who scored 57 goals and added 12 assists in 2014, earning WMC second-team all-star honors. Dodge (a second-teamer), Dostie and LaFrance also look to score. Other offensive weapons include Davidson, Donald, Fox, Owen (the faceoff man) and new senior Brendan Qualls. Perry and Roy anchor the defense in front of returning goalie Zac Wogan, who was an honorable mention all-star last season.

Freeport had to open at powerhouse Falmouth and lost, 22-2, but better days are ahead. The Falcons will be competitive with everyone else on the slate and should be a team to be reckoned with by the time June rolls around.

GIRLS’ LACROSSE

Coach: Marcia Wood (first year)

2014 record: 11-3 (Lost, 11-6, to Yarmouth in Eastern B Final)

Top returning players: Emily Johnson (Senior), Lizzie Martin (Senior), Courtney Broderick (Junior), Lily Johnston (Junior), Brooklyn Washburn (Junior)

Pivotal games: April 30 @ Cape Elizabeth, May 2 YARMOUTH, May 19 MORSE, May 21 NYA, May 26 @ Greely, June 1 @ Falmouth, June 4 WAYNFLETE

Coach’s comment: “I’ve got a good mix from every class. I’m looking for the girls to gain confidence and get used to me as a coach. The learning curve has been fantastic. We want to continue to get better and learn. Making playoffs is the goal.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Freeport continued to stake its claim as a top contender a season ago, setting a record for victories and making it to the regional final for the second time in three years. After turning the Falcons into a power, Karin Kurry stepped down as coach and has been replaced by someone well known in the lacrosse community and at Freeport. Wood led Scarborough to over 100 wins and four Class A state titles in her decade at the helm. She also teaches at Freeport and coaches the field hockey team. She takes over a squad which graduated some top talent, including standout goalie Molly Lane and Spring Female Athlete of the Year Meredith Broderick, but the cupboard is far from bare.

This season, freshman Chloe Davidson will look to get possession for the team in the draw circle. On offense, Courtney Broderick, Johnson, Johnston, Martin (who will also take draws) and senior Julia Dearden hope to score. Washburn and freshmen Jessie Driscoll and Taylor Rinaldi anchor the defense in front of new goalie, junior Sam Jordan. The Falcons opened with an 11-4 loss to York, but better days are ahead.

Freeport has established itself as the top threat to Yarmouth and will look to dethrone the Clippers in the weeks to come. The Falcons have the necessary ingredients to once again post a winning record and make it to the postseason for the fourth year in a row.

OUTDOOR TRACK

Coach: Matthew Greear (second year)

2014 results:

(Boys) 10th @ Class B state meet
(Girls) 11th @ Class B state meet

Top returning athletes:

(Boys) Nick Wilson (Senior), Erik Brobst (Junior), Chandler Vincent (Junior), Henry Jaques (Sophomore)
(Girls) Chloe Hight (Junior), Hannah Schnyder (Junior), Maddie Squibb (Junior)

Top foes: Falmouth, Greely, Sacopee Valley, York

Coach’s comment: “Last year, we graduated a strong group of seniors. This year, the junior class will be asked to step up and compete at a higher level. We’re excited to push ourselves and improve throughout the spring.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Freeport brings back some strong boys and girls and should make some noise this season.

The boys return Vincent, who was the Class B runner-up in the mile in 2014. Brobst and Jaques are other distance threats, as is freshman Joe Ashby. Wilson scored in the 400 relay last season and hopes to be a top sprinter. Sophomores Hunter Lillard and Chandler Wyman are new sprinters to watch. The Falcons have scored at states 10 years in a row and look to move up from last year’s strong 10th place finish.

On the girls’ side, Squibb was part of a second-place 1,600 relay squad last season. Squibb will be a top middle distance threat this spring. Hight and Schnyder were on a third-place 3,200 relay team. Hight will compete in the middle distance this year, while Schnyder will run the longer races. Newcomers of note include sophomores Mikaela Fleenor (sprints) and Emily Latulippe (sprints) and freshman Patricia Dupere (hurdles). Freeport will get better as the season goes on and should hold its own at the conference and state meets. A top 10 finish is realistic.

BOYS’ TENNIS

Coach: Jay Harper (15th year)

2014 record: 4-9 (Lost, 3-2, to Yarmouth in Western Class B quarterfinals)

Top returning players: Caleb Abbott (Senior), Ryder Bennell (Senior), Nate Smail (Junior)

Pivotal matches: May 1 WAYNFLETE, May 6 FALMOUTH, May 12 @ Cape Elizabeth, May 19 YARMOUTH, May 22 @ Yarmouth, May 26 @ NYA

Coach’s comment: “I have three solid singles players with experience, but I lost two doubles players to lacrosse, which will hurt us. We know we play in the toughest league, so it will be a challenging season.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Freeport almost got a signature playoff win last season, but dropped a close match to perennial contender Yarmouth. The Falcons lost Ethan Roney to graduation and are further hindered by the loss of senior doubles players Shawn Anthony and Callum Gould to lacrosse.

This year, Abbott, a second-team all-star in 2014, figures to be in the first singles spot, while Smail will be in the No. 2 spot. Bennell played first doubles last season and could move up to singles. Seniors Seth Bretton and Charlie Zackua and sophomore John Smail look to step in fill spots, as will exchange students Frederick Lindhard and Nico Lizosaain.

Freeport figures to again be in the second tier of contenders and hopes to make the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.

GIRLS’ TENNIS

Coach: Chris Nordenson (fourth year)

2014 record: 5-7 (no postseason)

Top returning players: Lauren Carter (Senior), Hannah Williams (Senior), Lindsey Dealaman (Junior), Leah Harrison (Junior)

Pivotal matches: April 28 @ York, April 30 LAKE REGION, May 4 FRYEBURG, May 14 @ Lake Region, May 15 @ Fryeburg, May 20 KENNEBUNK, May 22 YARMOUTH, May 26 NYA

Coach’s comment: “I think if we continue to work hard, it’s feasible to think we’ll compete in a tough conference. We’re hoping to be in the hunt for the playoffs. We missed the playoffs by about one Heal Point last year and that has definitely motivated some of the returning players. We know what we have to do. It’s just a matter of dedication and execution.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Freeport dropped its final two matches in 2014 and fell short of the playoffs. This year, the Falcons have the pieces in place to qualify.

At press time, Carter, Dealaman, Harrison and Williams were vying for the three singles spots. Seniors Hannah Avant and Chanpia Suvannasaroje (a foreign exchange student), junior Caleigh Breton and sophomore Izzy McClelland were in the mix for doubles spots.

Freeport’s schedule is daunting, as it includes Class A champion Falmouth, Class B champion Greely and Class C champion Waynflete. The Falcons should be competitive with the rest of the league and hope to finish what last year’s team started and reach the playoffs.

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

Courtney Broderick is a key returner for a girls’ lacrosse team which got to the Eastern B Final last season.

Standout Emily Johnson is back for one final season.

Lily Johnston is another top returner of note.

Lizzie Martin is a versatile player who will help the Falcons win games.

Maddie Squibb is a top middle distance runner for the Falcons.

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Peter Lamagna and the Freeport baseball team looks to make the playoffs again this spring.

File photos.

More photos below.