Hall-Dale High School spring sports previews
BASEBALL
Coach: Tim Johnson (3rd season)
Last season: 8-7 in Class C West
Top returners: Ryan Leach (Jr., P-INF), Dylan Dupont (Sr., P-CF), Tyler Cummings (Sr., SS), Jake Levesque (Sr., C), Brandon Gilbert (Jr., P-OF), Dan Alexander (Jr., P-UT), Jimmy McCullum (Jr. P-INF)
Key newcomers: Tim Holbrook (Jr., P-OF), Damien Melnicove (Jr., IB), Hunter Brown (Jr., UT), Jordan Choate (Jr. UT), Matt Harrington (So., OF), Ben Crocker (Fr., 2B)
Outlook: The addition of Holbrook, a transfer from Kennebunk, should round out a solid pitching rotation that includes good arms in Dupont and Leach. Cummings, returning for his fourth varsity year, anchors the infield at shortstop. There are, however, questions in the outfield. The offense will need a boost from a couple of veterans to help good hitters in Cummings and Dupont.
Coach's comment: "Last year we put a lot of pressure on our hitting and defense to be perfect."
Girls track
Coach: Joe Viselli (1st season)
Last season: 2nd in MVC, 2nd in Class C
Top returners: Ariel Howes (Sr., hurdles, jumps), Kerry Fredette (Jr., jumps), Jess Woods (Jr., sprints), Sara Price (Soph., hurdles)
Key newcomers: Carrie Jones (Jr., sprints), Teresa Whithee (Soph., mid-distance), Paige McNaughton (Jr., throws)
Outlook: The Bulldogs graduated a ton of points with Laura Peterson and Magen Ellis, but the team should be competitive again. Howes is the reigning Class C state champ in the 300 hurdles and should also score well in the long jump and javelin. Fredette was third in the long jump at the state meet as well.
Coach's comment: "We should do pretty well. Ariel has a chance of winning the 100 and 300 hurdles, so we'll see."
Boys track
Coach: Joe Viselli (1st season)
Last season: 11th at Class C state meet; 5th in MVC
Top returners: Wade Davis (Sr., distance), Brad Longfellow (Sr., jumps), Ethan Solloway (Sr., sprints), Kyle Bell-Colfer (Jr., throws, jumps), Ben Gerant (Jr., distance), Kyle Blanchette (Jr., distance), Alex Colon (Jr., mid-distance, hurdles), Matt Harper (Sr., throws), Jacob Longfellow (Jr., jumps)
Key newcomers: Patrick Ellis (Jr., sprints, jumps), Kevin Trask (Sr., throws)
Outlook: The Bulldogs should be in the mix in both the MVC and the state meets. Davis returns as one of the top distance runners in Central Maine, while Longfellow and Solloway are poised for big seasons as well.
Coach's comment: "As a team we could do real well in the state meet. Our junior class is so deep."
Boys tennis
Coach: Jeff Fowler (1st season)
Last season: 6-6, Western Class C Quarterfinals
Top returners: Austin Langsdorf (Jr.), Jonathan Koenig (Jr.), Joseph Shagouri (So.), Michael Reinhard (Jr.), Nic Messier (So.), Aaron Wohl (Jr.)
Key newcomers: Cody Patterson (Jr.), Jonathan Truman (Sr.), Nasser Alsaadoon (Exchange Student-Saudi Arabia), Kevin Zembroski (Fr.), Robert Lewis (Jr.), Miles Hisler (Fr.)
Outlook: Fowler takes over a Hall-Dale team with no seniors. The Bulldogs will look to develop some depth. Zembroski has shown potential, while Langsdorf, Shagouri, Messier and Koenig should all play on a regular basis.
Coach's comment: "The kids have a good attitude and they want to learn the game and are eager to learn.
Girls tennis
Coach: Guy Cousins (5th season)
Last season: 9-3, Western Class C Quarterfinals
Top returners: Rebecca Cromwell (Sr.), Dory Estrada (Sr.), Margaret Cousins (Jr.), Kelcey Ladner (Jr.), Dakota Mitchell (Jr.)
Key newcomers: Chantel Harrington (Jr.), Kate Cart (So.), Whitney Wei (So.), Wendy Goldman (Fr.), Jana Parsons (Fr.)
Outlook: The Bulldogs lost seven seniors from last year's team. Cromwell moves up from doubles to singles this spring, while Goldman has had a strong showing thus far in the spring. She'll challenge Mitchell and Margaret Cousins for a singles spot.
Coach's comment: "Except for Winthrop, there should be more parity in the Conference. We've got a good group of multi-sport athletes who recognize the importance of fitness."
Softball
Coach: Dave Kaplan (6th season)
Last season: 11-4, lost in Western C quarterfinals
Top returners: P Lindsay LaChance (Jr.); SS Colby Houdlette (Jr.); 1B/OF Amber Allen (Jr.); 3B Danielle Breault (Jr.); 2B Kayla Barton (So.).
Top newcomer: C Carylanne Wolfington (Fr.).
Outlook: The Bulldogs are built around a nucleus of juniors who boast pitching and defense as their strength. LaChance went 4-0 in part-time pitching duty a year ago and is expected to counter the loss of all-conference pitcher Joceyln Tripp to graduation last spring.
Coach's comment: "Our pitching and defense will be good, but it remains to be seen whether or not we'll be able to hit. The hitting will certainly be key for us."
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