ZAK SANDERS, Senior – Baseball
* SMAA all-star, first-team
* SMAA All-Academic
* Senior all-star
Sanders had a senior season to remember, coming up huge in the biggest spots, playing an integral role in leading the Red Storm to an unexpected Class A state title.
Sanders, who also played soccer in high school, gradually stepped into a starring role on the diamond. He was an honorable mention all-star as a junior after posting a 1.67 earned run average.
This spring, he excelled on the mound and at the plate, going 6-0 with five saves, surrendering just six earned runs in 46.1 innings of work, good for a 0.91 ERA, giving up only 10 walks while striking out 51, and on offense, posting a .355 average and .494 on-base percentage with 22 hits (including five doubles), 30 runs scored, 11 RBI and 11 steals.
Highlights included two runs scored in a season-opening win over Noble, two more runs scored, including the tie-breaker, and the win on the mound in a come-from-behind victory over Massabesic, a double and two runs scored in a win over Thornton Academy, a four-hit shutout with seven strikeouts in a victory over Sanford, a double, game-tying single and game-ending run in a win over reigning state champion South Portland, two runs scored in a victory over Cheverus, three runs in Scarborough’s only loss of the year, to Deering, two hits, two runs scored and eight strikeouts in a win over Westbrook, a strikeout for a save in a pivotal victory at preseason favorite Falmouth, two hits and a save in a win at recent nemesis Marshwood, a single, double and three runs scored in a victory over Windham, two runs scored in a win over Kennebunk and two hits in a season-ending victory at Portland.
Sanders continued to excel in the playoffs, throwing the final third-of-an-inning in a 3-1 quarterfinal round victory over Gorham, going six innings, allowing just two runs on four hits and fanning eight, while producing two hits and two RBI in a 5-2 semifinal round win over Marshwood, doubling and scoring a run in a 5-0 regional final victory over Falmouth before bowing out with a masterful four-hit shutout of Messalonskee in a 7-0 state game triumph. In that game, Sanders also, fittingly, had three hits, two RBI and scored twice.
“It’s a deep breath and everything goes away (when you get runs early and can pitch with a big lead),” Sanders said. “Our defense was unbelievable and at the plate, we got clutch hits when we needed to.”
Sanders will attend the University of Tennessee next year and while his time on the pitcher’s mound and at the plate may have come to an end, the memories of how he produced, when it mattered most, will long linger.
Coach Wes Ridlon’s comment: “Zak was the catalyst for our state title team. He led the SMAA in runs scored and had multiple big hits during our playoff run. On the mound, he was involved 50 percent of our wins, either earning the win or a save. He is the definition of a competitor and is never afraid of the moment. He is a tireless worker and holds himself and others accountable for the standards our program has set. His teammates fed off his leadership and energy. On top of his stellar performance on the diamond, he is equally successful in the classroom.”
Previous winners:
• 2023 Adam Bendetson (track)
* 2022 Jayden Flaker (track)
* 2021 Alex Callahan (lacrosse)
• 2020 No season
• 2019 Nick Thompson (baseball)
• 2018 Reece Lagerquist (lacrosse)
• 2017 Sam Neugebauer (lacrosse)
• 2016 Sam Rusak (track)
• 2015 Nate Howard (lacrosse)
• 2014 Ben Greenberg (baseball)
• 2013 John Wheeler (lacrosse)
• 2012 Ben Wessel (baseball)
• 2011 Ben Wessel (baseball)
• 2010 Nick Neugebauer (lacrosse)
• 2009 Chris Bernard (baseball)
• 2008 Ryan Hunt (lacrosse)
• 2007 Phil Lambert (lacrosse)
• 2006 Bryan Macphie (lacrosse)
• 2005 David Hamilton (lacrosse)
• 2004 David Hamilton (lacrosse)
• 2003 Adam Mumm (track)
• 2002 Keith Corey (track)
EMERSON FLAKER, Junior – Track
• Maine Gatorade girls’ Track and Field Athlete of the Year
* Class A state champion, 100
• Class A state champion, 200
* Class A state champion, 400
* SMAA Track Athlete of the Year
* SMAA All-Conference first-team, 100
* SMAA All-Conference first-team, 200
* SMAA All-Conference first-team, 400
* Team MVP
Contributed photo
No sprinter in the state could match Flaker’s brilliance this spring and with a year to go in high school, you can only imagine how far she’ll continue to raise the bar of excellence.
Flaker, who has also produced some memorable moments in soccer (she scored the winning goal in overtime of the Class A South Final) and basketball (as a defensive-minded point guard), truly stands alone on the track, where everyone else can only hope to keep up.
As a freshman, Flaker was part of a champion 4×400 relay team and finished runner-up in the 400 and fifth in the 200 at the Class A state meet. Then, as a sophomore, Flaker was runner-up in the 400, third in the 200, third in the 300 hurdles and fourth in the 100 at states.
This spring, she had no peer, as the 100, 200 and 400 were her personal playground from start to finish.
At the conference championship meet, Flaker took first in the 100 (12.29 seconds), 200 (25.42) and 400 (57.62), helping Scarborough finish first.
At states, Flaker captured the 100 (12.15), 200 (26.14) and 400 (57.96), accounting for 30 points all by herself, and she also ran the third leg of a champion 4×400 relay team, leading the Red Storm to the championship.
Flaker then placed fifth in the 400 (56.06) and seventh in the 200 (25.43) at New Englands before going on to finish ninth in the 400 (56.18) and 23rd in the 200 (25.29) at the Adidas track Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina.
What’s left for Flaker to accomplish? We can’t wait to find out next year and you can bet that a lot of interested colleges will be paying close attention as well.
Coach Denise Curry’s comment: “Emerson’s success comes from her being a coachable athlete, supportive teammate and great leader. She complements her natural talent with working hard at practices, putting in the effort in workouts and improving her running technique which pays off when she competes on the track. She is an asset to the team, leading the underclassman at practices and always stepping up to be on relays.”
Previous winners:
• 2023 Amber Woods (tennis)
* 2022 Amber Woods (tennis)
* 2021 Kathleen Murphy (lacrosse)
• 2020 No season
• 2019 Bella Dickinson (softball)
• 2018 Chloe Griffin (softball)
• 2017 Lilly Volk (softball)
• 2016 Maggie Murphy (softball)
• 2015 Megan Nathanson (tennis)
• 2014 Alyssa Williamson (softball)
• 2013 Marisa O’Toole (softball)
• 2012 Nicole Kirk (track)
• 2011 Nicole Kirk (track)
• 2010 Heather Carrier (softball)
• 2009 Ellie Morin (lacrosse)
• 2008 Melissa Dellatorre (softball)
• 2007 Kelsey Griffin (softball)
• 2006 Lauren Hagerman (lacrosse)
• 2005 Camille Jania (tennis)
• 2004 Sarah Marchilli (softball)
• 2003 Chelsey Ledue (track)
• 2002 Jen Williams (softball)
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