Division: I
Coach: Scott Owen
Last year: 5-13, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Ethan Dupre, Christian McClellan, Jake Kelly, Noah Wachter, Griffin Gilbert, Kurtis Stadnicki, Ben Normandeau
Top newcomers: Zach Miles, Eric Sullivan, Jacob Knowles, Gabe Tobin, Ryan Tessier, John Taranovich, Stephen Drewes
Outlook: The goal for the Crimson Tide is to make it back to the tournament after a two-year absence from postseason baseball. Concord returns quality pitching and is expected to be strong defensively, but a question mark hangs over how productive its lineup can be. “We are working hard on our hitting and it is coming along,” Owen said. “The weather has been tough but we are staying positive and working hard.”
Teams to beat: Exeter, Bedford, Keene
Division: II
Coach: Sean Ashley (11th year)
Last year: 12-6, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Brody Ashley, sr., OF/P; Dylan Andrews, sr., 1B/P; Max Judge, sr., OF/1B/P; Joel Boulanger, sr., OF/C; Noah Wojtkowski, sr., INF
Top newcomers: Brendan Eaton, jr., INF/P; Jacob Rich, so., C; Jacob Bisson, jr., OF/P; Brady Johnson, jr., OF/P
Outlook: The Bears return about half of their starting lineup, and some top-end pitching talent, from last year’s team that made a playoff run. “We hope to be in the thick of things as the season progresses and our goal is to be playing in June,” Coach Ashley said.
Teams to beat: Windham, Souhegan, Oyster River, Goffstown
Division: II
Coach: Dennis Pelletier (4th year)
Last year: 12-5, reached first round
Returning starters: Jeremy Aubin, sr., 2B/P; Adam Tower, sr., OF/3B; Derek Goldrick, jr., P/OF; Noah Greene, jr., 3B/1B; Ryan Rothdiener, jr., C/OF; Aaron Robertson, so., SS/C
Top newcomers: Brett Patnode, fr., P/3B/C; Nathan Isabelle, so., P/INF; Brandon Langdon, so, OF/2B; Benjamin Stogner, so., P/3B; Zack Handy, jr., 1B; Ryan Waterman, sr., OF
Outlook: The Generals are coming off the most wins in a season in program history and are riding a streak of three straight playoff appearances. Hitting looks to be John Stark’s greatest strength with Goldrick and Robertson bolstering a lineup that features six returning starters. Robertson will move to shortstop and anchor the infield, which will allow Rothdiener, who has “one of the strongest throwing arms in the state,” according to Pelletier, to start at catcher. Stark lost its top three pitchers from last season, but the Generals have some experience in Aubin, who will be in his fourth year in the rotation, and Goldrick, who pitched some varsity innings last year. Newcomers Stogner, Isabelle and Patnode will all get a chance on the mound.
Teams to beat: Souhegan, Portsmouth, Windham, Goffstown, Oyster River
Division: II
Coach: Jon Myers (6th year)
Last year: 13-5, reached quarterfinals in D-III
Returning starters: Dominick Vaillancourt, sr., P/1B; Carter Doherty, sr., P/1B/OF; Jake Nelson, sr., P/2B/OF; Thomas Turpin, jr., 2B/P/C; Bradley Weeks, jr., OF
Top newcomers: Ryan Dee, Fr., P/SS; Jack Maher, jr., P/1B/OF; Tyler Richter, fr., C
Outlook: The Sachems return all but one pitcher that was part of last year’s playoff run, and Doherty could be in line for a step forward in his senior season on the mound. There is no replacing the production of the Salta brothers in the lineup, but with Vaillancourt and Doherty, who hit well over .300 last year, Laconia has a solid foundation and is bolstered by a couple of talented freshmen who could make an immediate impact on a varsity program that’s stepping up to D-II.
Teams to beat: Portsmouth, Goffstown, Souhegan, Oyster River, Milford, Lebanon
Division: II
Coach: Sean Wheeler (16th year)
Last year: 4-13, reached first round
Returning starters: Mark Barton, sr., C; Kevin Barton, sr., SS; Brian Nylen, jr., P/1B; Joe Ostrwoski, sr., 3B/2B/P
Top newcomers: Alan Thompson, jr., OF/P; Caleb Heath, fr., OF/P
Outlook: After a rebuilding period last year, the Pride is looking to get back in the thick of D-II. All-State selection Nylen anchors a talented but inexperienced pitching staff. Nylen will be joined by Thompson, who missed most of last season with an injury, and junior Billy Dipre, who pitched well as a sophomore. Mark Barton will start at catcher for a third season and Kevin Barton will be the leadoff hitter and anchor the infield at shortstop. Joe Ostrowski (second or third base), Nylen (first base) and Matt Ostrowski (centerfield) are solid starting options, but the rest of the lineup is up for grabs, which Wheeler hopes to settle early in the season. The two Ostrowskis and Heath will form the bullpen.
Teams to beat: Portsmouth, Goffstown, Souhegan
Pembroke
Division: II
Coach: Joshua Coughlin (7th year)
Last year: 3-13, did not make tournament
Returning starters: AJ Gagnon, sr.; Connor Locke, sr.; Cole Hapgood, jr.; Jared Murray, jr.; Justin Legere, jr.; Quinton Paquin, sr.
Top newcomers: James Bonenfant, jr.; Matt Ferguson, jr.; Connor Manteau, so.
Outlook: The Spartans look to regroup after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008, and Coughlin thinks the mix of young players and seniors will give his team a chance to do just that. “We believe we have a starting core of Gagnon, Hapgood and Murray who will keep us in ball games,” Coughlin said. “The sooner it clicks as a team will determine the results of the season.”
Teams to beat: Souhegan, Portsmouth, Windham
Belmont
Division: III
Coach: Matt LeBlanc (7th year)
Last year: 14-4, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Cole Contigiani, sr., 3B/P; Corey Derosier, sr., SS/P; Ryan Gelinas, sr., LF; Brett Lima, jr., P/INF/OF; Cam Magerer, so., 3B/1B/C; Chris Marden, sr., OF; Matt Pluskis, jr., 2B; Doug Price, sr., C/P/INF
Top newcomers: Colby Brown, so., INF; Griffin Embree, so., P/OF; Kyle Minery, so., C/3B/OF
Outlook: The Raiders are hoping experience pays off this season. Belmont returns five players with three years of varsity time and two more that are four-year starters. The lineup should look mostly the same as last year’s team and the Raiders added depth to an already solid club with a strong group of underclassmen. “Trying to turn the corner and take the next step in a very competitive Division III is a goal of ours,” LeBlanc said. “But we know that we will certainly face an uphill battle.”
Teams to beat: Campbell, Gilford, Conant, Monadnock, Stevens, Fall Mountain, Somersworth
Bishop Brady
Division: III
Coach: Skip Foy (12th year)
Last year: 11-7, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Mario Fusco, sr., SS/P; Max Lamora, jr., SS/3B/P; Theo Partington, jr., CF; Alex Andrews, so., 1B/3B/P; Johnny Skehan, sr., 2B/P; Josh LeClaire, sr., OF
Top newcomers: Liam Donovan, sr., 1B/DH; Pat Earley, sr., OF; Chase Buckman, jr., P; Cody Nolin, jr., SS/OF/P; Nick Grimbilas, so., C/3B/P; Pat Brust, fr., C
Outlook: The Green Giants will have some pretty big shoes to fill after the loss of three All-State players. Brady returns just one pitcher with varsity experience in Fusco and will be counting on Buckman and Lamora for depth in the rotation. The lineup should be just fine in the heart of the order but behind the plate is a question mark as Brady is handing over its catching duties to a pair of underclassmen in Grimbilas and Brust.
Teams to beat: Campbell, Belmont, Winnisquam, Raymond, Monadnock
Franklin
Division: III
Coach: Dave Joyce (4th year)
Last year: 10-8, reached second round
Returning starters: Bryan Sweet, sr.; Max Joyce, sr.; Corey Nelson, sr.; Taryn Laramie, so.; Harrison Clark, so.
Top newcomers: Ryan Johnston, jr.; Riley Thurber, so.; Logan Hannigan, fr.
Outlook: Clark’s emergence on the mound as a freshman last season gives the Golden Tornadoes a dynamic 1-2 punch of left handers. Along with a strong defense, Franklin should be stingy in giving up runs and returns the majority of an offense that scored over 100 runs a season ago. “We do have some youth and experience coming up, but with the older leadership on the team, I do not see that being a big hurdle,” Coach Joyce said. “We are looking to advance further than last year.”
Teams to beat: Belmont, Campbell, Monadnock
Gilford
Division: III
Coach: Vint Choiniere (1st year)
Last year: 7-10, reached first round
Returning players: Will Baldwin, sr., INF; Dom Troiano, sr., OF; Branden LeMay, sr., P/OF; Tyler Sargent, sr., P/1B; Alex Thornton, sr., OF; Connor Hayes, sr., P/OF; Braeden Lacroix, sr., P/OF; Alex Muthersbaugh, so., C
Top newcomers: Tyler McKinney, jr., SS; T.J. Carmilla, fr., C/INF; Adrian Siravo, fr., P/1B/OF; Cody Boucher, fr., OF/INF
Outlook: The biggest strength working in the Golden Eagles favor is pitching depth. With the return of arms like Sargent, Hayes, Lacroix and Lemay, who all have varsity experience on the mound, Gilford shouldn’t have a problem staying competitive over the long season. On offense, the Golden Eagles bring back their top three hitters from a year ago in Thornton (.386 average), Sargent (.349) and Muthersbaugh (.289). “We have the potential to be very competitive,” Choiniere said. “We will strive to be very solid fundamentally and being very prepared for all situations.”
Hillsboro-Deering
Division: III
Coach: Erik Hagstrom (1st year)
Last year: 0-16, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Brad Sampson, sr.; Kevin McCaffery, so.; Thomas Ferguson, jr.; Sean Morin, jr.
Top newcomers: Dustin VanCleave, jr.; Jordan Berrocales, so.; Jack Ferguson, fr.; Gunner Hagstrom, fr.
Outlook: After a winless campaign last year and a loss of many of their impact senior players to graduation, the Hillcats certainly have some work to do. Hagstrom, though, is optimistic this group will be able to compete in a tough division. “These players are eager to start the season,” Hagstrom said. “We look forward to building a competitive team.”
Kearsarge
Division: III
Coach: Travis Pelletier (5th year)
Last year: 9-8, reached second round
Returning starters: Cy Courser, sr., OF; Levi Wilson, jr., SS; Sam Lick, jr., C; Nick Pellerin, so., P; Gabe Benedict, so., P/OF
Top newcomers: Daniel Jagr, so., P/INF/OF; Tyler Crawford, fr., INF/P; Brendan Akpan, so., INF/OF
Outlook: The Cougars have a very young pitching staff with three sophomores and one freshman in line to take the hill, but Pelletier still has reason to be optimistic. “Our work ethic has been very good so far and the kids are eager to learn and get better,” the fifth-year coach said. “Over time (our pitching staff) will adjust and get comfortable.”
Teams to beat: Campbell, Conant, Monadnock, Stevens
Newfound
Division: III
Coach: John Larsen (2nd year)
Last year: 1-15, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Jerrod Fairbank, sr., P/1B/OF; Ricky Deluca, sr., C; Devin Kramer-Roberts, sr., P/3B; Nate Desroches, sr., C/2B; Cody Rouille, sr., DH/3B/P; Mike Doan, jr., P/1B; Logan Rouille, so., SS
Outlook: The Bears program is down in numbers, but returns a strong group of nine seniors and seven starters. Newfound is hoping to capitalize on that experience to improve upon last year’s record.
Winnisquam
Division: III
Coach: Fred Caruso (11th year)
Last year: 9-8, reached second round
Returning starters: Mike Lowrey, sr., SS/P; Jacob Snow, sr., 3B/DH; Hunter Tierney, sr., P/INF; Bryce Corey, jr., C/P; Josh Shevlin, sr., LF/DH; Blaise Ross, sr., CF/P
Top newcomers: Noah Smith, jr., 2B/OF; Devan Glover, jr., P/1B; Matt Ivester, jr., INF
Outlook: Winnisquam will be without Snow, its biggest bat, until at least the beginning of May, but the experienced Bears have enough depth in their lineup to account for his absence. On the mound, however, it’s a different story. Without Snow,, Winnisquam is a little short on pitching, but the Bears can rely on seniors Lowrey and Tierney as their top arms. As usual, Caruso expects his team to progress as the season rolls along and return to the tournament at the end.
Teams to beat: Belmont, Campbell, Conant, Mascenic
Hopkinton
Division: IV
Coach: Dave Chase (21st year)
Last year: 11-10, reached semifinals in D-III
Returning starters: Ben McManus, sr., P/3B/SS; Dustin Rose, jr., OF/1B/P; Will Rynhart, sr., OF
Top newcomers: Tucker Windhurst, sr., OF/1B/P; Kayl Murdough, sr., C/P/INF; Caleb Yianakopolos, so., 3B/OF/P; Larsen Burack, so., 2B/P; Sam Crawford, fr., C/P; Colby Marshall, fr., SS/P; Mike Baer, fr., SS
Outlook: One year after making an improbable run to the D-III semifinals as the No. 18 seed, the Hawks have moved down to D-IV minus nine seniors who led the team to that final four. There are plenty of unknowns surrounding the Hawks’ first season in a new division, but they do return a First Team D-III selection in McManus, who will anchor the top of the pitching rotation and the middle of the batting order. Rynhart, Rose (Third Team D-III) and Windhurst (returning after running track last year) form a speedy outfield. Murdough is returning after missing last season due to injury, while Yianakopolos and Burack saw limited action last year but are now in the mix for starting positions. The Hawks also have a strong group of freshmen who could make an immediate impact.
Teams to beat: “Dropping down to D-IV will certainly leave us guessing, gone are the rivals with (D-III teams) and now new opportunities present themselves as we look to establish new rivals in Pittsfield, Sunapee, Newmakret and Derryfield,” Chase said.
Pittsfield
Division: IV
Coach: Rob Stockman (10th year)
Last year: 8-10, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Noah McGlashing, sr.; Cam Darrah, jr.; Casey Clark, jr.; Garrett Hadley, jr.; Kyle Stockman, so.; Brian Sullivan, so.; Ben Stephens, so.; Devin Beddell, fr.
Top newcomers: Eli Johnson, sr.; Corey Gilleney, so.; Charles Chapman, so.; Tyler Prentice, fr.; Jesse McGlashing
Outlook: The Panthers have a nice blend of youth and experience with eight returning starters and five or six underclassmen expected to start. For a team that came within four outs of reaching the semifinals, Pittsfield’s pitching depth is definitely a strength, but the arms are young and may need some seasoning as the year progresses.
“I hope to see more consistency in our play this year,” Stockman said. “We have very young pitching and I would like to see us attack the strike zone better this year.”
Teams to beat: Sunapee, Hopkinton, Littleton, Derryfield, Groveton