HANOVER

Coach: John Grainger (eighth season).

Last year: 13-5, lost in semifinals to Hollis-Brookline.

League: NHIAA Division II.

Returners: Seniors — Sam Sacerdote (P/IF), Jack McGrath (C/OF), Ian Smith (OF). Juniors — Jackson McBride (IF), Freddie Mierke (P), Jake Toulmin (P).

Newcomers: Juniors — Sam Loescher, Oliver Sperry. Sophomores — Finn Ware, Sean Nam. Freshmen — Jojo Drent, Alex Boone, Hayden Avard, Wyatt Daigle, Allie Muirhead.

Outlook: The Bears have plenty of pitching, led by Bowdoin College commit Sacerdote, Toulmin and Muirhead, and Mierke, Boone, Daigle and Smith will also see time on the mound. Offensively, Hanover lost a lot of production from last year’s team that made a deep playoff run, but McBride, Sacerdote and Loescher will anchor the Bears’ lineup.

“Our pitching will keep us in games, but the biggest question marks are whether we can play good enough defense to compete and swing the bats well enough to score enough runs to win close games,” Grainger said.

HARTFORD

Coach: Bill Vielleux (second season).

Last year: 9-9, lost in semifinals to Lyndon.

League: VPA Division II.

Returners: Seniors — Joey Beggs (SS), Trenton Bird (LF), Ethan Jacobson-Goodhue (P/IF), Shane Jenks (IF). Juniors — Nate Clark (CF/P), Matt Cooney (P), Sean Dunton (C), Matt Hayes (P/1B), Zach Johnson (P/IF/OF).

Newcomers: Juniors — Cam Bradford (IF), Christian Hathorn (2B), Matt Franklin (OF). Sophomore — Solomon Flores (P/RF).

Outlook: Last year’s young team made a strong late-season push and reached the semifinals, and the Hurricanes return six starters from that group. Zach Johnson and Matt Hayes will take on most of the innings on the mound.

“We took advantage of our opponents’ mistakes and scored quite a few runs that way. This year we need to create our own opportunities on offense,” Vielleux said. “We have a lot of speed on the bases and if we can be patient at the plate and swing at good pitches, we will be able to add to that total. If we can limit our errors, and pitch the way I think we can, we should be in good shape heading into the playoffs.”

LEBANON

Coach: Chauncey Wood (third season).

Last year: 7-10, lost in first round to Oyster River.

League: NHIAA Division II.

Returners: Seniors — Frank Calandrella (INF/P), Sam Bates (P/C), Dawson Bates (INF/P). Juniors — Zach Aldrich (INF/P), Bennett Hewett (P/1B), Ben Achmoody (OF), Nick Brill (OF/P), Paddy Mooney (INF/P), Spencer Cunningham (INF). Sophomore — George Tafe (INF/P).

Newcomers: Senior — Easton Wykes (C/P/INF). Junior — Jack Clary (OF/C). Sophomores — Dominic Calandrella (INF/P), Declan Brandis (OF/INF). Freshman — Ryan Lundrigan (INF/C).

Outlook: Lebanon is 15-18 under Wood, who’s also coached many of his players in American Legion ball. Last year’s Raiders exited in the playoffs’ first round.

“We’re largely an unproven pitching staff,” the coach said, noting that only Aldrich, a second team all-division honoree last spring, and Dawson Bates have seen much varsity time on the hump. “We are a team of versatility.” Most of the 10 upperclassmen have played together since Little League.

NEWPORT

Coach: Matthew Robbins (first season).

Last year: 1-15, missed playoffs.

League: NHIAA Division III.

Returners: Seniors — Karter Pollari (P/OF), Darren Janicke (2B), Owen Beaulieu (SS/P). Juniors — Colton Godwin (C/OF), Ben Almstrom (P/OF). Sophomores — Amelio Urista (C/OF), Gabe Howe (3B/SS/P).

Newcomers: Kam Pollari (1B/P), Owen Leavitt (OF), Caleb Ash (P/3B), Devan Robbins (P/OF), Kobie Curtis (P/OF), Adrian Sanchez (OF), Makyi Matheson (3B/P), Kevin Earthrowl (OF), Alex Swain (OF).

Outlook: Robbins, a Sunapee graduate, takes over a Tigers program that has fallen on hard times in recent years but has depth this season at just about every position. “This year we have a great group of kids that are dedicated to this sport,” Robbins said. “They work hard in practice; now we just have to use all of this and put it into games.”

OXBOW

Coach: Shawn French (25th season).

Last year: 1-14, missed playoffs.

League: VPA Division III.

Returners: Senior — Chase Lund (3B/SS/P). Junior — Reese Ilsley (2B/SS/OF/P). Sophomores — Chase Fischer, Zadian Walton, Alex Daigle, Owen Taylor, Ethan Davis, Garrett Danforth.

Newcomers: Sophomore — Isaac Russ. Freshmen — Keyes DeGoosh, Ayden Haley, Jackson Griffin, Logan Blake, Brady Killduff, Jonny Smith, Griffin Pike, Josiah Mosley.

Outlook: With just two upperclassmen, the Olympians are in for another year of building, but the deep sophomore class, many of whom played significant innings last season, offers hope that a turnaround may be imminent.

RIVENDELL

Coach: Eric Reichert (29th season).

Last year: 8-6, lost in semifinals to Blue Mountain.

League: VPA Division IV.

Returners: Seniors — Josh Gould (1B/P), Harry Molesworth (CF/P), Ashton Pierson (C), Zach Parker (OF). Juniors — Parker Piper (SS/C/P), Robert McNelly (2B/SS/P), Luke Avery (3B/OF/P). Sophomores — Will Knowles (SS/P), Brayden Larson (3B/SS/P), Christian Ditcheos (1B/P).

Newcomers: Junior — Carter Bacon (1B/OF/P). Freshman — Regan Pellegrino (C/OF).

Outlook: “We have a brutal schedule to make our way through, but the high level of competition is something that will make us stronger at the end of the season,” Reichert said. “We lost a lot of pitching innings to graduation and transfer, so we will need to turn the inexperienced depth of our staff into a strength by working pitchers through regular bullpens. Offensively, I’m hoping to see aggressive hitters whenever one of our players is in a hitter’s count. If we can maintain our aggressiveness, I think we can put up some numbers.”

STEVENS

Coach: Bill Bundy (second season).

Last year: 6-11, lost in Division II first round to Souhegan.

League: NHIAA Division III.

Returners: Seniors — Matt Becker (3B/2B), Jesse Foote (OF/2B), Ty Theriault (P/OF/SS), Dom Puksta (OF/3B), Colby Shepard (C/OF), Luke Smith (C/OF). Juniors — Cody Pellerin (P/1B), Kurtis Chaloux (IF). Sophomore — Matt Goss (IF).

Newcomers: Senior — John Martinez. Sophomores — Devyn Corliss (OF/P), Nevin Marsh (C), Maddox Foster, Ben Goodell. Freshman — Logan Minckler (SS/P).

Outlook: The going was rough at times last year for the Cardinals, but with seven starters back and Stevens dropping down to D-III, better days are likely ahead. Theriault, a Colby-Sawyer College commit, is one of the best all-around players in the division, and Bundy has high hopes for Minckler as a freshman.

THETFORD

Coach: Phil Chaput (11th season).

Last year: 11-5, lost in semifinals to Hazen.

League: VPA Division III.

Returners: Seniors — Jacob Gilman (P/OF), Nolan Pepe (P/UT). Juniors — Justin Robinson (P/UT), Mason Fahey (UT), Mitchell Parkman (OF). Sophomores — Boone Fahey (P/IF), Dempsey McGovern (UT).

Newcomers: Sophomores — Evan Patterson, JD Farrell. Freshmen — Liam Brooks, Owen Goodrich, Thomas Amber, Xander Oshoniyi.

Outlook: The Panthers have been one of the region’s top programs for the last several years, and that should be the case again this year even with a young roster. Positional versatility will be Thetford’s biggest strength. The Capital Division presents a tough schedule, with eight of 15 regular-season games against teams from Divisions I and II, and lower-division teams like Hazen, White River Valley and Blue Mountain will present challenges as well.

WHITE RIVER VALLEY

Coach: Devin Cilley (fourth season).

Last year: 15-4, defeated Blue Mountain for Division IV state championship.

League: VPA Division III.

Returners: Senior — Robby McShinsky (P/IF). Juniors — Finn Bailey (OF), Nez Sulham (OF), Max Sulham (OF). Sophomores — Dylan Hatch (OF), Carter Colson (OF), Paul Andrade (OF), Sonny Snelling (OF), Donovan Craven (IF/P), Brayden Russ (C).

Newcomers: Senior — Loren Young (OF). Junior — Tattin Griffin (OF). Sophomores — Jaiden Wright (OF), Holden Rediker (OF), Wyatt Cadwell (1B/P), Zander Clark (IF/P). Freshmen — Andrew Champagne (OF), Andrew Fors (OF), Andrew Vannesse (1B), Bennett Hanson (IF/OF), Dawson Poland (OF), Isaac Wilmett (OF), Jacob Benoit (IF/OF), Liam Penta (OF), Ty Couture (IF/OF/P), Dagan Spinks (OF).

Outlook: It may not have been another undefeated season, but the Wildcats won their third straight title last year and have won it all every season since the school formed in 2018. A strong senior class has moved on, but WRV’s depth is as strong as it has ever been, which should put Cilley’s team in good shape as the Wildcats jump back up to D-III.

WINDSOR

Coach: Jamie Richardson (ninth season).

Last year: 6-10, lost in first round to Vergennes.

League: VPA Division III.

Returners: Seniors — Maison Fortin (P/SS/CF), Charles Palmer (C), Evan Burke (OF). Juniors — Johnny Clark (P/SS), Lee Bevis (P/3B), Trevor LaGrow (P/1B), Nathan Griffin (OF).

Newcomers: Senior — Travis McAllister (UT). Junior — Tanner Moody (C/3B). Sophomores — Hayden Pascarelli (2B), Joey Gaudette (C/OF), Mike Lopez (1B). Freshmen — Alden Weld (SS/CF/P), Isaac Becker (2B/P), Kobin Shute (2B/P).

Outlook: “This team has a very high ceiling once we get all the pieces together,” Richardson said. “We had a few key guys dinged up early, but once healthy we will be fine. Strengths should be our pitching. We have four that are varsity-ready and another working his way back from injury. Weaknesses would have to be our youth and inexperience. We will have to rely on some freshmen and sophomores to step up and fill some spots.”

WOODSTOCK

Coach: Jason Tarleton (23rd season).

Last year: 6-10, lost in first round to Montpelier.

League: VPA Division III.

Returners: Seniors — Nick Champine (OF), Stephen Darling (1B), Holden Larmie (1B/OF). Juniors — Jacob Stone (UTL), Jackson Martin (IF/P), Josh Hough (C). Sophomores — Vince Petrone (SS/P), Ben Runstein (2B/P).

Newcomers: Juniors — Jarred Clark (OF), Keller Pauly (OF). Freshmen — Aksel Oates (IF/P), Riley O’Neal (IF/P).

Outlook: The Wasps bring a mix of youth and experience to the table as they look for their first winning season since 2018 and first playoff victory since 2014.

“This team is a hard-working group that will benefit from team speed and pitching depth,” Tarleton said. “Being a young group, it could take some time to gel.”

Benjamin Rosenberg can be reached at brosenberg@vnews.com or 603-727-3302.

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