Baseball

DIVISION II

Souhegan is expecting big things. Souhegan appears loaded, led by senior pitcher Kyan Bagshaw, who is headed to Endicott next year, and can also play first or in the outtfield.

The Sabers have some championship pedigree, with basketball players Colin (3B-P) and Keegan (3B-P) in the lineup as seniors. Sophomore Nolan Colby is said to be one of the best shortstops in the state, and one of the state’s best athletes, Wil Jaques, will pitch and play the outfield (and run outdoor track). Look also for senior Dylan Dufour (1B-P) and junior Hayden Goerlich (OF-P) to be keys.

The Sabers are playing a few games outside their division, starting with Monday’s opener at Division I Londonderry. They also have Bedford and BG on the schedule.

“I love it, it’s only going to make us better,” new Souhegan coach Chris Metz said. “It will prepare our guys for where we want to go. We’re focused on tomorrow, getting better, staying healthy.”

Milford hopes to be a threat with the return of senior All-State shortstop-pitcher Jake Lammi, plus fellow senior infielder-catcher-pitcher Damian Philbrick.

Other keys include three juniors: first-baseman-pitcher Nick Conforti, infielder Colin Williams, utility man Chris Bedard, and sophomore infielder-outfielder-pitcher Michael Lima.

However, the Spartans did suffer the loss of junior Second Team All-Stater Trice Cote due to an arm injury.

“Other players have already been stepping up,” Spartans coach Todd Robichaud said. “With how young our team is, we’ve been working on the fundamentals.”

The Warriors had a good regular season but were disappointed with an early ouster in the postseason, but as long as seniors Troy and Sean Brennan, who led the team in pitching and hitting last year, are around, they can contend.

Also watch seniors Keegan Hall (C-IF) and Ty Bacci (1B), plus junior outfielders Joe Krug and Ty Collins.

“With some new additions also, we should be improved from last year and could be a tough out come playoff time,” Warriors coach Tom Brennan said.

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Softball

DIVISION II

It was a magical tourney season for the Milford Spartans that resulted in a title game appearance – albeit a loss to Oyster River – under coach Julia Mazzeo in her first year at the helm.

It’s left the Spartans hungry for more.

It’s a tough act to follow, but year two has many of the same key players, including senior pitcher Madi Herbert, OF-IF Ali Fortin, senior IF-C, and senior catcher infielder Chloe Ducharme.

That will help. “We want to continue the success we had last year,” Mazzeo said.

“I’m looking forward to see what this group can do.”

Souhegan will be paced by seniors Liv Harnish (P, SS), Danielle Drobat (P, 3B), and Kira Healy (first base), especially on offense.

DIVISION IV

Wilton-Lyndeborough continues to retool after its glory days under the guidance of second-year coach Scott Dowling, and they may be where he wants them going as the season commences.

They’re led by junior catcher Abby Dowling, senior pitcher Emily Dubois, senior outfielder Madison Raymond, and junior infielder-pitcher Ryleigh Smith. All have experience.

“With most players returning from last year, we plan to compete for a spot at the top of the division this year,” Dowling said.