Baseball

Coach: Ricky Hession (first year)

Last year’s record: 3-13

Key players: Devin Butler (sr., INF); Max Salevsky (sr., INF/P); Troy Bogdahn (jr., P); Kyle Labrecque (jr., P); Dana McKay (jr., C), Matt Bridges (sr.); Justin Miles (sr.); Lane Poirier (sr.)

Key games: April 22 @ Massabesic

Outlook: “We have a good group of baseball players at the high school, from seniors all the way down to freshmen,” says Hession. Among those players, Butler, Salevsky, Bogdahn, Labrecque and McKay will lead at the plate, in the field and on the mound. Bridges, Miles and Poirier will also need to be consistent for the team to realize its full potential. The Scots’ opener is critical, as it will set a tone and give the team a sense of their own stage of development. “After losing a number of close games last year, learning what it takes to win close games will be more important than looking ahead to other games on the schedule,” Hession says. “Our goal is to be very competitive, to be playing our best baseball by the end of the year, and to make sure we’re in a position to make a run at the playoffs.”

Boys Lacrosse

Coaches: Patrick DeBenedictis (head), Kyle Hanson (asst.), Andrew Slefinger (asst.)

Last year’s record: 4-9

Key players: Antonio Bruni (sr., M); Kyle Whitman (sr., A); Stephen Estes (sr., A); Zack Gryskwicz (sr., M); Kellan Corbett (sr., D); Zack Brannon (jr., M)

Key games: Windham, Lake Region, Biddeford

Outlook: “The Scots come into the season with new faces and high expectations,” says DeBenedictis. In 2014, the team slipped into the final postseason spot, but that forced them to confront a top team in an early round. This year, they look to improve on their regular season standing, to securing a better playoff seed and to advance deeper into the bracketing. “Team defense – along with a patient, composed offense – will be stressed all season,” says DeBenedictis.

Girls Lacrosse

Coach: Judy Martin

Last year’s record: 4-8

Key players: Hannah Litif (A), Jesse Ray (D), Megan MacIntosh (D)

Key games: South Portland, Westbrook

Outlook: Martin’s lineup is young, but still looking to improve on last season’s record and reach the postseason. South Portland and Westbrook are both “even competitors” and thus important metrics for the Lady Scots. The Riots are also Bonny Eagle’s first matchup of the season; the game will set a tone for the girls in green, going forward.

Boys Outdoor Track

Coach: Greg Wilkinson

Key athletes: Derek Axelsen, Justin Bryant, Jake Cook, Joe Elsemiller, Eddie Maxwell, Michael O’Clair, Dan Smith, John Bedral

Key meets: Scarborough, South Portland, Deering, TA

Outlook: “We have our largest group of athletes in the last few years,” says Wilkinson. “There’s a lot of untapped potential, making it challenging but fun.” Like most squads, the Scots aim to improve across the course of the regular season and qualify as many competitors as possible for States in June.

Girls Outdoor Track

Coach: Chris Strout

Last year’s record: Runners-up at States

Key athletes: Kyaunna Libby, Elisabeth Redwood, Kialeigh Marston

Key meets: Southwesterns

Outlook: “We have a strong core returning from our indoor team,” says Strout, adding that a bumper crop of freshmen will also play a big role in the Scots’ success this year. Libby and Marston will lead in the distance events, and Redwood will look to build on her state championship performance in the 400 during indoor track season, as well as to improve her shorter sprints.

Softball

Coach: Brett Levin

Last year’s record: 12-4

Key players: Caitlyn Dyer (sr., LF); Breanna Lifland (jr., SS); Ashlyn Wintle (jr., P); Nell Spencer (jr., 3B)

Outlook: “The season looks good,” says Levin. “We have seven returning players and seven new varsity players that make for a good mix of talent.” Levin looks forward to any and all pre-season scrimmages, as the team didn’t get an opportunity to train down south this year, and their field remained covered in snow for quite some time.

Boys Tennis

Coach: Hossein Miremadi

Last year’s record: 3-9

Key players: Zack Moody, Nick Bean

Key matches: Massabesic, Westbrook, Sanford

Outlook: The Scots return two varsity players from last year, and hope to bring some fireworks to the court in Class A. The team’s other returning players, as well as a crop of new faces, “will create a competitive practice atmosphere” helping the team to improve as the season progresses and allowing them to vie for a playoff spot.

Girls Tennis

Coach: George Weaver

Last year’s record: 0-12

Key players: Kirsten Thomas, Lizzie Adkins

Outlook: It’s likely to be another tough year on the courts for the Lady Scots. The team’s No. 1 singles player in recent years, Hilary Kinney, has graduated, and since the squad’s the lineup is thin – a number of players are trying their hands at track nowadays – they’re having a hard time filling her shoes. Thomas is a four-year player, and Adkins could make some noise in the No. 2 or No. 3 slot. Additionally, “some young doubles players might surprise,” Weaver says.