Ed Flaherty is entering his 31st season as the University of Southern Maine baseball coach with what he feels could be a pretty good team.

Others agree.

USM was the only New England team ranked in the D3baseball.com/NCBWA preseason top 25, settling in at No. 15.

“I think a lot of that has to do with past history,” he said. “We’ve done well and they know us. I don’t put a whole lot of credence into those polls, but I do think we’ve improved.”

The Huskies finished 32-15 last year, their season ending in the NCAA New England Regional. They also graduated all-purpose pitcher Andrew Richards, who, Flaherty figured, “made a difference in 15 of those games.”

But they have a good nucleus returning, including the reigning Division III Player of the Year, senior shortstop Sam Dexter of Oakland and Messalonskee High.

He’s joined by some pretty good hitters such as junior Paul McDonough, senior outfielder Nick DiBiase, junior Matt Bender and sophomore outfielder Devin Warren. In addition, outfielder Jake Glauser is returning after missing last year with an injury, and freshman Jake Dexter – yes, Sam’s younger brother – also will find his way into the lineup.

The Huskies also return their top three starting pitchers – Shyler Scates, Tyler Leavitt and Zack Bean – as well as relievers Dan Kinnon and Ryan Browner. USM’s pitching also will be boosted from the return of Dalton Rice, who missed last year following Tommy John surgery. Freshmen Matt Correale and Ryan Gaydou could figure into the bullpen, which will be a factor.

“In baseball,” said Flaherty, “even at our level the game is often determined from the sixth inning on.”

The Huskies also need to find a catcher, most likely either Kyle Heath of Westbrook – who transferred from Wheaton College – or Kip Richard of Kennebunk, a freshman.

“We’re optimistic but we’re still going to be young in a lot of positions,” said Flaherty. “We do have a lot of depth. Some of the freshmen are close to playing. We’ll see how it goes. This is a good, hard-working group.”

USM is scheduled to open its season March 12 in Massachusetts, then head to Florida. That’s when the polls really will start to matter.

“It’s nice for the school to get recognition,” said Flaherty. “People look at these polls in different ways. If your (school) name’s not on there, you might get ticked off. I’d rather have my name on it than not.”

BASKETBALL

University of New Hampshire freshman forward Ashley Storey of Cumberland (Greely) was named America East rookie of the week. Storey scored a career-high 22 points with four rebounds, two blocks and a steal in a win over Binghamton.

SWIMMING AND DIVING

St. Joseph’s College senior Alexander Gilvey of Windham became the first men’s swimmer in school history to achieve 50 individual victories last weekend. Gilvey achieved the milestone when he won the 50-yard backstroke with a time of 27.26 seconds in a meet at Gordon College last Saturday.

TRACK AND FIELD

USM senior Zack Miller of Rochester, New Hampshire, was selected the Little East Conference track athlete of the week after winning the 55-meter dash with a school-record time of 6.48 seconds in the State of Maine indoor championships. He also finished second in the 200 and anchored the winning 400 relay team. Junior Connor Harris of Auburn (Edward Little) was named field athlete of the week after winning the high jump (6 feet, 2-3/4 inches), and finishing second in the long jump and triple jump. Freshman Drew Gamage of Sabattus (Oak Hill) was the rookie field athlete of the week after finishing second in the high jump and third in the triple jump. The winning 1,600 relay team of freshman Roland Galberth (New Haven, Connecticut), senior Jeremy Collins (Standish/Bonny Eagle), freshman Sam Anderson (Bristol, Connecticut) and Miller was named relay team of the week.

• USM senior Nicole Kirk of Scarborough was named the LEC track athlete of the week after winning the 60-meter dash (7.97 seconds) and 200 (26.01) in the State of Maine championship. Senior Sabrina Sodders of Alstead, New Hampshire, was named field athlete of the week after winning the shot put (41-7-3/4).

WRESTLING

USM freshman Mike Risti of Limerick (Massabesic) was named New England Wrestling Association rookie of the week. Wrestling at 285, Risti went 3-0 on the weekend. Risti has an overall record of 22-6 but is 13-2 since moving up to 285.

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