A pair of defending Vermont state champions, Windsor (Division III) and South Royalton (D-IV), return deep and talented pitching staffs that have both teams dreaming of repeats. Sunapee came up just short last season, losing in the New Hampshire D-IV state title game, but the Lakers boast a trio of senior leaders who have never seen their season end before the state finals.

Hanover and Lebanon each look to rebound from below-.500 finishes last season. The Marauders seek to improve by leaps and bounds, with their entire starting lineup remaining unchanged from a year ago. The Raiders look to integrate a young group of varsity newcomers with a strong upperclass core.

Hartford lost a 2-1 heartbreaker to St. Johnsbury in the Vermont D-I semifinals last season and will endeavor to take a step (or two) more this year with a team led by a potentially dominant group of pitchers.

Newcomers: Junior — Sam Maynes (OF). Sophomore — Nick Starosta (IF). Freshmen — Joey Perras (P/IF), Jack Loftus (C).

Analysis: The Marauders return all nine starters from last season and have their sights set on a return to postseason play. Center fielder Will Smith is a dynamic player coming off second-team all-state honors last year. Moises Celaya and Kegan Silovich will pick up the bulk of duties on the mound to lead a deep pitching staff for second-year coach John Grainger.

“We have a great group of kids who work hard and want to compete every day. It’s been a struggle being in the gym every day for practice, but there hasn’t been a single practice where the kids didn’t come to learn,” Grainger said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what this team can do. Last year, even though we lost 14 games, we played the best teams in the state tough. We are a very fast team, so I hope we can steal a lot of bases and put pressure on the other team to make good plays.”

Hartford

Coach: Jarrod Grassi (14).

Last year: 11-8, lost in semifinals to St. Johnsbury.

Leagues: Vermont Division I, Marble Valley League.

Returnees: Seniors — Nate Robinson (OF), Nick Wright (IF), Jordy Allard (P/SS), Dylan Spencer (IF/P), Matt Libuda (OF). Juniors — Austin Gaudette (CF/P), Tyler Hamilton (C), Hunter Perkins (P/1B).

Newcomers: Seniors — Adam Potter (C), Brendan Whitney (OF). Juniors — Cody Thayer (OF), Walker Farley (IF). Sophomores — Riley Packard (2B), Nick Cameron (1B). Freshman — Kyle Hamilton (IF/P).

Analysis: A trio of strong pitchers (Jordy Allard, Hunter Perkins, Dylan Spencer) will be the backbone of this season’s Hurricanes. Allard, a senior, will be a starting pitcher for the first time after a successful run as a hard-throwing relief specialist earlier in his high school career. That trio, along with Tyler Hamilton and Austin Gaudette, will be counted on to provide leadership for a team that is otherwise young and a bit inexperienced at the varsity level.

“If we pitch the way we’re capable of and just score 3-4 runs per game, it might be enough,” Hartford coach Jarrod Grassi said. “We’ve got some good younger kids; some of them will have to step up and give us good production. We’re just trying to get them in the right spots so that they’re comfortable and confident. There’s definitely potential with this group.”

Lebanon

Coach: Doug Ashey (24).

Last year: 7-11, lost in the second round.

League: New Hampshire Division II.

Returnees: Seniors — Nate Gariepy (C), Hunter Marsh (IF/P), Joah Moss (OF/P), Nate Perkins (OF/P), Caleb Broughton (SS/P). Juniors — Derek Griffin (IF/P), Hunter Boutin (UT).

Newcomers: Senior — Colin Becker (OF). Juniors — Jaret Armstrong (OF), Ryan Nicholson (IF), Matt Eylander (P/3B), Tyler Tewksbury (C/DH). Sophomores — Kyle Pelletier (IF/P), Graham Ten Haken (IF/P), Joe Dupree (C/DH). Freshman — Caleb Smith (P/IF).

Analysis: Four-year varsity players Nate Gariepy, Caleb Broughton and Nate Perkins, along with third-year senior Joah Moss, lead a team low on varsity experience but high on work ethic and enthusiasm for the sport. Broughton will miss the first eight games of the season for a violation of the school conduct code, a circumstance that will open opportunities for others to step forward.

“We are playing inexperienced kids in a lot of spots,” Lebanon coach Doug Ashey said. “We need to get better in all areas. The team has a willingness to learn, and they’re coachable kids. Hopefully, we’ll see some progress as we go along, and I’m optimistic about what we can become.”

Mascoma

Coach: Guy Serviss (10).

Last year: 5-11, missed playoffs.

League: New Hampshire Division III.

Returnees: Seniors — Tyler Findley (P/1B), Mark Olsen (OF), Jonny Raymond (C/2B), Micah McCullough (SS/2B), Derek French (P/IF/OF), Wyatt Wheeler (1B/3B). Juniors — Ethan Brueckner (P/IF), Tyler Warner (CF/SS/P).

Newcomers: Seniors — Gus Chapman (P/OF), Andrew Melkonian (OF). Junior — Aidan O’Connell (C/OF). Sophomores — Dom Wilcox (2B), Caleb McAlister (IF/OF), Devin Tetreault (P/1B).

Analysis: Senior pitchers Tyler Findley and Derek French lead a group that should be strong on the mound. The Royals are loaded with versatile players and have shown good team chemistry early in the season. Ethan Brueckner, Tyler Warner, Jonny Raymond and Wyatt Wheeler will lead the Mascoma bats in support of that deep pitching staff.

“I expect us to win enough games to make the playoffs, and then anything can happen,” coach Guy Serviss said. “If our defense plays as well as it should, we will win quite a few games. This group of players work hard every day and support each other.”

Newport

Coach: Jonathan Hamel (2).

Last year: 5-11, missed tournament.

League: New Hampshire Division III.

Returnees: Seniors — Dylan McNamara (P/IF), Cameron Ackerman (OF), Dominic Russell (C/P/3B), T.J. Hubert (IF/OF). Juniors — Cody Turgeon (P/IF), Kyle Fish (IF).

Newcomers: Seniors — Bryce Turner (C/IF/OF), Brendon Halleck (IF/OF). Junior — Gabe Edwards (IF/OF). Sophomores — J.T. Blaine (P/IF/OF), Joey Ackerman (P/OF), Tony Robertson (IF/OF), Daniel Lee (IF).

Analysis: The group of returning players will be counted on for leadership and experience as the Tigers look to build in large part around a big group of new varsity athletes. Pitching depth could be a challenge, especially with a condensed schedule on the horizon due to early-season weather cancellations.

“I’m liking the effort and enthusiasm I’m seeing from the team so far. They are a great group of kids with great senior leadership,” coach Jonathan Hamel said. “Our overall goal is still to reach the playoffs. The goal is a lofty one especially since this year the (NHIAA) is only taking 12 teams from the 25 or so in D-III.”

Oxbow

Coach: Shawn French (19).

Last year: 8-10, lost in quarterfinals.

Leagues: Vermont Division III, Capital League.

Returnees: Seniors — Jake Stimson (C/P/3B), Noah Johnson (P/OF), Tyler Longmoore (OF/2B). Juniors — Lincoln Illsley (SS/2B/P).

Newcomers: Senior — Trevor MacAloney (OF). Juniors — Sullivan French (1B/3B), Kodi Dyke (3B/1B). Sophomores — Jackson Schramm (C/2B), Cody Grant (P/OF/2B), Orin Mahikoa (SS/3B/P). Freshmen — Hunter Locke (P/1B), Jace Page (2B/3B/P).

Analysis: The Olympians have a great deal of team speed and athleticism, which will hopefully be able to overcome a lack of experience at the varsity level. “Hopefully, we’ll come together for the stretch run,” coach Shawn French said.

Rivendell

Coach: Eric Reichert (23).

Last year: 7-10, lost in quarterfinals.

Leagues: Vermont Division III, Central Vermont League.

Returnees: Seniors — Wiatt Suich (2B), Colin Gould (C/P), Demetres Perry (P/SS), Sam Tilden (3B/P/C), Lucas Souza (OF). Junior — Dashiel Fukushima (P/SS). Sophomores — Lucas Streeter (1B/P), Jake Kilmer (1B/DH), Charley Bradley (OF), Caleb Haley (OF), Gil Souza (OF). Freshmen — Johnny Vogelien (SS), Zach Gould (CF/P).

Newcomers: Freshman — Dylan Ricker (SS/P/C).

Analysis: The Raptors will be shorthanded to start the season with multiple players gone on school trips to the southwest U.S. or to France.

“Our strength revolves around the senior leadership on the team. Our seniors set a fine example both in the classroom and on the field,” coach Eric Reichert said. “Pitching depth is not in place as of yet. We will focus on the big picture in an attempt to fortify our strengths. We’re proud of our first-round playoff victories the last two years, but we would like to go significantly deeper into the playoffs this year.”

South Royalton

Coach: Michael Ballou (8).

Last year: 16-2, won state title.

Leagues: Vermont Division IV, Central Vermont League.

Returnees: Seniors — Dalton McDougall (P/3B), Nicholas Howe (OF), Justin Brock (P/2B), Stephen Paige (SS), Andrew Moore (OF), Michael Hemond (1B/OF). Junior — Dominick Small (P/1B). Sophomore — Jacob Hewitt (C/INF).

Newcomers: Senior — Emily Ballou (OF). Freshmen — George Carr (C/OF), Logan Martin (INF), Zeb Perrault (C/OF).

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