To call Class D South top heavy in 2017 would be an understatement.
Only two teams, Richmond and eventual state champions Searsport, reached double digits in wins. Not suprisingly, both steamrolled through the first two rounds of the tournament before colliding at St. Joseph’s College in the regional final.
Buckfield and Rangeley are hoping to add a little balance to the region and perhaps even end Searsport’s streak of three state titles in a row in 2018.
The Bucks have a new head coach but a familiar face at the helm as varsity assistant Ben Keene takes over as skipper. He inherits a talented, experience roster led by senior pitcher/shortstop Ethan Jackson, who hit over .500 last year.
“I’m biased, but I truly believe Ethan is the best player in the league, hands down,” Keene said. “He should have been the (East-West Conference) player of the year last year, I believe.”
Jackson will lead the pitching staff again this year, but Keene is hoping for more contributions there by others, such as senior Zack Grover. Senior Tyler Sullivan is moving from the outfield to join Jackson on the left side of the infield at third base. That senior trio, along with junior Dylan Harvey and Tyler Sullivan, will form the heart of the lineup.
Rangeley is hoping to bolster its thin pitching staff with strong defense and a more productive offense. Seniors Zac Trafton and Bo Beaulieu are the top pitchers, butt there isn’t much experience beyond that. Fellow seniors Kyle LaRochelle and Hunter Lowell were productive in the middle of the order last year. The hope is some underclassmen develop and make the lineup deeper.
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