Division: II
Coach: Ben Forbes (19th year)
Last year: 11-9, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Christian McDonald, sr., 3B; Connor Blandini, jr., INF; Ben Guertin, sr., INF; Jack Corriveau, sr., OF; Sam Selleck, sr., 1B/P
Top newcomers: Levi McAllister, fr., C; Matt Hamilton, soph., OF/3B; Ben Harris, soph., C/P/1B; Riley Elliott, soph., 1B/P; Nick Kiah, soph., INF/P; Steven Guerrette, soph., INF/P
Outlook: With Blandini, Guertin and McDonald all back in the infield, the Falcons should be tight defensively. They also have solid pitching and a nice mix of experience (seven upperclassmen on the roster) and youth (six underclassmen).
“This should be a fun team to watch,” Forbes said.
Teams to beat: “Everyone is tough. Any team on any given day can give the best of teams a hard time,” Forbes said.
Division: II
Coach: Christopher Tilton (1st year)
Last year: 8-8, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Jacob Rich, jr., C; Brady Johnson, sr., OF/P; Luke McCusker, jr., INF/P; Brendan Eaton, sr., INF/P
Top newcomers: Hunter DeCota, soph., INF/P; Ryan Hughes, soph., INF/P
Outlook: New coach Tilton likes what he’s seen from his team during the preseason, from the overall work ethic to the roster’s mix of returning experience and hungry youth.
“We’re an athletic team with guys who can play multiple positions, creating depth at every position,” Tilton said. “We’re very excited to get started April 11 (season-opener at home against St. Thomas) and work towards obtaining the goals we have set for our program.”
Division: II
Coach: Dennis Pelletier (5th year)
Last year: 11-7, reached quarterfinals
Returning starters: Derek Goldrick, sr., P/OF; Noah Greene, sr., 1B; Aaron Robertson, jr., SS/C; Brett Patnode, soph., P/C/3B; Rian Queen, jr., 1B
Top newcomers: Jake Cole, jr., OF; Carter Pike, soph., 2B/3B; Brady Philibotte, fr., INF; Austin Hazzard, fr., P/OF/3B
Outlook: The Generals bring back some all-state talent from last season, highlighted by Goldrick (First Team D-II), Patnode (Second Team) and Greene (Third Team). The lineup looks to be a strength, as does a pitching staff with four experienced starters leading the way.
“I expect us to compete in every game and return to the playoffs for our fifth straight season,” Pelletier said. “We have the talent to make a deep run if we play our game and stick together like we did last season.”
Teams to beat: Oyster River, Portsmouth, Windham, Goffstown
Division: II
Coach: Jon Myers (7th year)
Last year: 3-14, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Jack Maher, sr., P/1B/OF; Cameron Souda, sr., OF; Thomas Turpin, sr., P/SS/3B; Bradley Weeks, sr., OF; Ryan Chandler, soph., 3B/OF; Ryan Dee, soph., P/SS; Tyler Richter, soph., C
Top newcomers: Ryan McCrea, sr., P/3B; Kelby Brooker, jr., P/2B/OF; Dedric Salway, jr., C/3B; Logan Dee, fr., P/2B; Cameron Haynes, fr., P/1B
Outlook: The Sachems return their entire starting outfield and the core of their infield and expect defense to be one of the team’s strengths. The lineup will also be full of varsity-tested bats, although the team did graduate its top offensive player in Carter Doherty. Laconia also lost two of its starting pitchers from last year’s squad, but Ryan Dee is back to bring some experience to the mound.
“It will be tough to replace the 2017 graduates, but I’m optimistic that we have enough talent to fill the void,” Myers said.
Teams to beat: Portsmouth, Goffstown, Plymouth
Division: II
Coach: Sean Wheeler (17th year)
Last year: 8-9, lost in first round
Returning starters: Brian Nylen, sr., 1B/P; Ryan Heath, sr., 1B; Alan Thompson, sr., OF/P; Braedon Miller, sr., OF; Matt Ostrowski, jr., OF/P; Caleb Heath, soph., OF/P/3B; Caleb Chevarie, soph., 3B/C/P
Top newcomers: Dillon McCarthy, jr., 2B/SS; Chase Keyser, soph., SS/2B; Josh Planchet, soph., OF/C/P; Griffin Wheeler, fr., SS/2B
Outlook: The Pride have plenty of reasons to be optimistic about this season, like experience, pitching depth and position versatility. Nylen, a four-year starter and First Team D-II selection last year, will anchor a talented rotation that also features returning starters Heath, Thompson and Ostrowski. Depending on the day, they’ll be throwing to Chevarie, Dipre or Planchet, the first three-man catching rotation in coach Wheeler’s 17 years at MV.
Teams to beat: Portsmouth, Windham, Oyster River, Goffstown
Pembroke
Division: II
Coach: Joshua Coughlin (8th year)
Last year: 3-13, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Cole Hapgood, sr., P/INF; Justin Legere, sr., P/OF; Jared Murray, sr., P/INF
Top newcomers: Dom Riccio, sr., P/INF; Cam Nixon, jr., P/INF; Hayden Drew, jr., P/INF/OF
Outlook: The Spartans will lean heavily on their three returning starters as they try to find a way back to the D-II playoffs. Pitching may lead them there with newcomers Riccio, Nixon and Drew bolstering the experienced arms of Hapgood, Murray and Legere.
Teams to beat: Goffstown, Portsmouth, Windham
Belmont
Division: III
Coach: Matt LeBlanc (8th year)
Last year: 17-3, D-III runner-up
Returning starters: Colby Brown, jr., P/SS; Griffin Embree, jr., P/CF; Matt Pluskis, sr., 2B; Cam Magerer, jr., C; Brett Lima, sr., P/3B/SS; Kyle Minery, jr., 3B/1B/OF/P
Top newcomers: Nate Sottak, fr., OF/1B; Austin Didsbury, jr., P/OF/P; Brett Auclair, soph., P/1B/OF
Outlook: The Raiders have a nice core returning from last year’s team that came within one out of winning the D-III title, including some experienced arms. That seasoned pitching staff, good speed on the base paths and timely hitting will be the keys for Belmont as it tries to continue its run of success. The Raiders will have to replace nine seniors from last year’s team, including D-III Player of the Year Cole Contigiani, but they’re embracing the challenge.
“To be successful we have to be in the mindset that this is a new year and a new team and it’s time to mold that team into our own version and not look to replicate last season’s squad,” LeBlanc said.
Division: III
Coach: Skip Foy (13th year)
Last year: 5-11, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Max Lamora, sr., P/SS; Chase Buckman, sr., P/1B; Theo Partington, sr., CF; Kevin Anderson, jr., LF/DH; Nick Grimbilas, jr., 3B/C/P; Alex Andrews, jr., 1B/P; Ismael Rivera, soph., 3B/SS; Jack Compton, soph., P/RF/2B
Top newcomers: Pat Brust, soph., C; Trevor Gallagher, soph., 2B/SS; Connor Treybig, fr., P/1B/OF
Outlook: They have eight players returning with some starting varsity experience, so the Giants figure to be solid in the field and productive at the plate. The question mark will be on the mound. Brady has plenty of kids who can pitch, but there’s no clear cut ace or power arm to dominate an opposing lineup.
“We’re going to have to throw strikes and catch the ball,” Foy said.
Teams to beat: Campbell, Belmont, Monadnock, Franklin, Winnisquam
Division: III
Coach: Mason Roberge (1st year)
Last year: 6-10, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Harrison Clark, jr., P; Logan Hannigan, soph., INF; Riley Thurber, jr., INF
Top newcomers: Aiden Collum, fr., UTIL; Owen Smith, fr., INF; Jonathan Gilpatric, fr., P; Jordan Moore, fr., P; Jacob Beaupre, fr., OF; Dawson Lafrance, fr., UTIL
Outlook: The Golden Tornadoes had low numbers at tryouts and are dealing with some major injuries, so they’ll be relying on a young team. Roberge may be a first-year coach, but he was an assistant last year and a star player for Franklin in the late 2000’s when the program was a force in D-III.
“We will have to fight and claw our way to some wins, but we’ll certainly battle with anyone out there,” Roberge said.
Teams to beat: “No idea what to expect from the division this year. Treating every team as a top contender,” Roberge said.
Division: III
Coach: Eric Duquette (1st year)
Last year: 8-9, lost in first round
Returning starters: Sr. Tyler McKinney, sr., INF; Alex Muthersbaugh, jr., INF/P; Adrian Siravo, soph., INF/OF/P; TJ Camilia, soph., C
Top newcomers: Isaac Wallace, jr., INF/P; Cody Boucher, soph., INF/OF/P; Connor Sullivan, soph., INF/P; Chandler Mead, soph., OF
Outlook: Duquette may be new to Gilford, but he’s well known in local baseball circles with coaching stints at Pittsfield, NHTI and the AAU Concord Cannons. He inherits a team with just four returning starters, but a strong pitching staff in starters Siravo (First Team D-III last year), Muthersbaugh (Third Team D-III) and Wallace and relievers Sullivan and Boucher. That group will also be counted on to power the offense.
“The success of the team will depend on how quickly the underclassmen adjust to the varsity game,” Duquette said.
Teams to beat: Campbell, Raymond, Belmont, White Mountains, Mascenic, Monadnock
Division: III
Coach: Erik Hagstrom (2nd year)
Last year: 1-15, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Thomas Ferguson, sr.; Sean Morin, sr.; Kevin McCaffrey, jr.; Jordan Berrocales, jr., capt.; Gunner Hagstrom, soph., capt.; Jack Ferguson, soph.; Charles Veitch, soph.; Sawyer Jones, soph.
Top newcomers: Owen Coombs, fr.; Izaac Healy, fr.; David Boukousky, fr.
Outlook: Coach Hagstrom likes the way his team has been working together in the preseason and believes the Hillcats have what it takes to produce, “a positive, winning season.”
Division: III
Coach: Dan Curnyn
Last year: 8-8, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Nathan Sleeper, sr., OF; Ian St. Cyr, sr., OF/P; Bailey McIntosh, sr., 1B/DH; Jamison Edge, sr., 2B; Quinn Taylor, jr., SS; Eddie Bird, jr., OF; Hunter Sanders, jr., P/1B
Top newcomers: Andrew Brothers, sr., INF/P; Tae Miller, jr., C; Austin Learned, jr., 3B/1B
Outlook: Leather looks to be the strength for the Lakers, who bring back key players in the infield and outfield. They also have some solid arms, which will complement the defense perfectly. Offensively, Inter-Lakes had a hard time finding the big hit at the right time last year, so Curnyn is hoping to use the team’s athleticism on the base paths to manufacture a few more runs and reach the playoffs, something that has eluded the Lakers by just one game in each of the last three seasons.
“We’ve played a ton of competitive games, we’re just hoping to have more in the win column this year,” Curnyn said.
Teams to beat: “Division III is notorious for having a lot of competitive teams,” Curnyn said.
Kearsarge
Division: III
Coach: Travis Pelletier (6th year)
Last year: 4-12, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Levi Wilson, SS; Sam Lick, C; Tyler Crawford 1B; Nick Pellerin, P/3B; Brendan Akpan, UTIL; Ryan Ellis, OF
Top newcomers: Kevin Stasolovich, P
Outlook: The Cougars have a total of only 16 players in the entire program, which means no JV team. But the kids who are hitting the diamond in North Sutton are buying in completely.
“It’s a group that works hard and enjoys learning the game,” Pelletier said.
Teams to beat: “It’s a tough division top to bottom, every game will be tough,” Pelletier said.
Division: III
Coach: John Larsen (3rd year)
Last year: 11-7, reached quarters
Division: III
Coach: Fred Caruso (12th year)
Last year: 5-12, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Bryce Corey, sr., C/P; Devan Glover, sr., P/1B; Noah Smith, sr., 2B; Alex Mango, sr., 3B/OF
Top newcomers: Michael Allard, soph., 1B/P; Jack Beaulieu, soph., P/3B/SS/OF; Philip Nichols, fr., SS/P
Outlook: The Bears should be solid, and versatile, defensively. Glover and Corey bring experience to the mound, but outside of those two seniors the arms are untested. They also have to replace the top four hitters from last year’s lineup, a process they began months ago.
“We’ve worked hard over the winter,” Caruso said. “Last year we were 5-12 and easily could have been 10-7. Our goal is to get back to the tournament, but we’ll go as far as our pitching takes us.”
Teams to beat: Belmont, Brady, Campbell, Conant, Gilford, Mascenic, Prospect Mountain, Raymond, Somersworth, Stevens, White Mountains
Division: IV
Coach: Dave Chase (22nd year)
Last year: 15-5, D-IV champions
Returning starters: Dustin Rose, sr., 1B; Caleb Yianakopolos, jr., 3B; Sam Crawford, soph., C/P; Colby Marshall, soph., OF/P; Sam Rawson, soph., OF/P; Mike Baer, soph., SS/P; Larsen Burack, jr., 2B/C/P
Top newcomers: Max Rossignol, sr., P/OF; Kevin Newton-Delgado, soph. OF/P
Outlook: The Hawks return a ton of talent from last year’s state championship team, including all-state selections Rose, Crawford and Baer. Chase is expecting some breakout seasons from the 11 sophomores on his roster, including Marshall, Rawson and Newton-Delgado, who will all be competing for spots in the starting pitching rotation along with Rossignol and Burack.
“While the team is young, they are focused and ready to compete,” Chase said.
Teams to beat: Pittsfield, Littleton, Sunapee, Newmarket, Derryfield, Farmington
Division: IV
Coach: Rob Stockman (11th year)
Last year: 16-5, D-IV runner-up
Returning starters: Cam Darrah, sr., OF; Kyle Stockman, jr., P/INF; Casey Clark, sr., INF/P; Devin Bedell, soph., P/INF; Jesse McGlashing, fr., C; Garrett Guerrero-Hadley, sr., OF
Top newcomers: Keegan Vincent, sr., INF/OF; Gavin Bedell, 8th, p/INF; Caleb Stopyro, fr., P/INF; Ben Stopyro, fr., OF
Outlook: The Panthers return five all-state players (Clark, Stockman, Devin Bedell, McGlashing and Darrah) and all three of their starting pitchers from last year’s runner-up team. That pitching staff (Clark, Stockman and Devin Bedell) will be one of the team’s great strengths, along with a productive lineup and speed on the base paths. The defense may take time to develop, but the Panthers have more than enough firepower in other areas to compensate for any early-season errors.
“There’s always room for improvement, but the one thing I love about this team is the maturity and the eagerness to contend,” coach Stockman said.
Teams to beat: Hopkinton, Littleton, Woodsville, Derryfield, Sunapee, Newmarket