1. Scarborough: For the first time in forever, Coach Tom Griffin doesn’t have a pitcher returning with an inning of varsity experience. But if there’s a team that can overcome that inexperience, it’s the Red Storm, who have won 60 consecutive games and the last three Class A state championships. Senior catcher Sylvia Foley (.435), senior shortstop Mollie Verreault (.354, 20 runs), junior utility player Katie Roy (.537, 18 RBI, SMAA second team pick) and junior first baseman A.J. Swett (.373, 15 RBI) lead the offense.

2. Thornton Academy: The Trojans lost to Scarborough in the Class A South final the last two seasons, and they could be the top challenger again. Senior Abby Miner can win games with her left arm (6-0, 1 save in 2019) or her bat (.569, eight home runs, 36 RBI). Senior Madi Vachon provides a capable bat and much needed experience. Senior Madi Tracy and sophomore Hannah Lappin will also pitch. Jenna LaVallee and Bailey Littlefield will catch. Sophomores Jess Dow and Izzy Miner will be in the middle of the lineup.

3. Windham: Only four players return from the 2019 team that advanced to the Class A South quarterfinals, but the Eagles expect to be a very good club this spring. Seniors Shyler Fielding and Ellen Files provide strong leadership and ability. Three first-year players, sophomore Ella Wilcox (who will play everywhere), freshman pitcher Brooke Gerry (who will likely bat leadoff) and freshman catcher Jaydn Kimball (who will hit in the middle of the lineup) will provide a lot of young talent.

4. Fryeburg Academy: The Raiders have several key players back from a team that reached the Class B South championship game in 2019, including senior pitcher Emilia DeSanctis and senior catcher Morgan Fusco, both all-Western Maine Conference selections in 2019. Fusco has been an all-conference pick since her freshman year. Junior Camden Jones, who had some big moments as a freshman, will pitch and play shortstop. Senior Kayrin Johnson will be the leadoff hitter and play several positions.

5. Biddeford: The Tigers are always a hard-hitting team that scares other coaches. With junior catcher Chantelle Bouchard (.459, six home runs, 28 RBI in 2019) returning at some point following knee surgery, the offense will be fine this spring. Juniors Hannah Gosselin and Alexis Libby and sophomores Baylor Wilkinson and Laura Perreault will help at the plate. A key will be sophomore pitcher Charlotte Donovan, who has the talent and composure to be successful.

6. York: Coach Kevin Giannino calls this “probably the deepest team I’ve had here.” Six players return from the team that advanced to the Class B state title game in 2019, including outfielders Meg Batcheler, Colleen Daly, Elly Bourgoine and Abby Peterson, infielder Jill Carr and catcher Savanna Hanscom. Freshman pitcher McKayla Kortes is going to be very good. And when sophomore pitcher Maddy Raymond returns from an injury, York will have a great 1-2 combo.

7. Lincoln Academy: Coach Tom Nelson returns seven starters from a 2019 team that reached the Class B South quarterfinals, including two solid pitchers in juniors Grace Houghton (83 strikeouts in 74 innings) and Payson Kaler (who will play second while recovering from a late 2020 shoulder injury). Shortstop Lizzie Ober, third baseman Maddy York and first baseman Katelin Tozier also return. Nelson said this “is one of the deepest lineups I’ve had” in nine years.

8. Westbrook: The Blazes lost in the 2019 preliminary round of the playoffs, but could be poised for a longer run this year. They will be fueled by two transfers: junior pitcher Caitlin Noiles from Scarborough and junior first baseman/outfielder Nevaeh Landry from Sacopee Valley. Noiles “brings a lot of leadership,” said Coach Eddie St. John, in addition to her pitching. Seniors Allie Petry, Whitney Poitras and Aria Brunner are all solid players and sophomore catcher Madison Cole shows much promise.

9. Cape Elizabeth: The Capers have a new coach in Kristen Duross, and she inherits a very good club. Senior shortstop Julia Torre (.400 in 2019) and senior pitcher Anna Cornell (.359 batting average, 1.40 ERA, 108 strikeouts while pitching) will lead the way, along with junior catcher/pitcher Kathryne Clay and freshman infielder/catcher Lauren Steinberg. Clay will be a big hitter for the Capers and Steinberg has great potential.

10. Sacopee Valley: The Hawks advanced to the Class C South title game in 2019 and would have returned all but one starter in 2020. This year, they’ll be young but still very competitive. That’s because Sacopee Valley is solid at two key positions: pitcher, where WMC 2019 Class C player of the year Elyse Guptill returns, and catcher, with WMC all-conference pick Lakyn Hink. Guptill, a junior, hit over .500 and has a devastating fastball. Hink hit just under .700 in 2019. Senior center fielder Gabby Martin hit over .400. Freshman shortstop Lindsey Fox has much potential.

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