ECC Division I

East Lyme

Coach: Judy Deeb (47th year)

Key returnees: Sr. C/SS Alexandra Chambers, Jr. P/1B Isabel Siciliano, Jr. 2B Nikki Marsh, Jr.1B/OF Caitlyn Sievers, So. IF Mya Delesdernier, So. P/IF Olivia Quagan, So. OF Lydia Swan, So. C-IF Angie Venditti, So OF Kelly LaPlante, So. OF Grace Wargo.

Top newcomers: Fr. IF/P Jaylyn Mueller, Fr. IF/OF Madison Sjostrom, Fr. OF Amy Piper, Fr. OF Morgan Vane, Fr. IF/OF Alaina Crowell.

Outlook: Despite playing a freshmen-dominated roster and battling through a series of injuries, the Vikings still went 9-13 in 2017 and qualified for the ECC and Class L state tournaments. Deeb returns 10 varsity players, including ECC all-star Chambers, so there is tremendous optimism as East Lyme prepares for the 2018 season. Siciliano, Quagan and freshman Mueller provide quality and depth in the pitching department.

Fitch

Coach: Kyle Baron (1st year)

Key returnees: Jr. P/1B Allison Georgetti, Jr. SS Olivia Carney, Jr. OF Devin Lyon, Jr. 2B Casey Flax, Jr. 3B Meagan Giwoyna, Jr. C Olivia Travers, Jr. OF Angelina Doak.

Top newcomers: Sr. IF Francheska Lopez, Sr. IF Zionna Williams, Jr. IF Emelie Pope, Jr. OF Madelyn Cates, So. OF Karly Morales, So. P Ellie Hohlfedler, Fr. 1B Alyson Cabral.

Outlook: Baron replaces Arielle Cooper, who left to become an assistant at Coast Guard after leading the Falcons to a pair of state titles in her four seasons, including the state's No. 1 ranking in 2016. Also gone are seven starters (four of them ECC all-stars), including catcher Taylor Wolfgang, The Day's Player of the Year. But don't expect Fitch to fall too far, despite playing a demanding schedule. "There is a lot of great talent still on this team," Baron said.

Ledyard

Coach: Brittany Robinson (4th year)

Key returnees: Sr. P Madison Sanborn, Sr. 3B Elsyana Morales, Sr. OF Whitney Brandt, Sr. C Bella Langlois, Jr. OF Sarah Whatton, Jr. 1B Brooke Carrender, So. SS Jenna Topalis.

Top newcomers: Fr. P/2B Sarah Rivers, Fr. OF/1B Samantha Fancher, So. C Mary Creekmore.

Outlook: The Colonels were 7-13 a year ago, just missing out on a state tournament berth. Topalis was an ECC Division I all-star as a freshman while Sanborn was a reliable starter on the mound. The division remains strong, but Robinson said, "We have a good mix of returning, experienced players and young, determined players. ... the girls are working hard and really want to prove that they have what it takes to be competitive in our strong league."

New London

Coach: Missy Parker (7th year)

Key returnees: Sr. Utl. Erin Heap, Jr. OF Eliza Malloy, Jr. SS Bria Fielding, Jr. P/2B Jovanna Potter, Jr. IF Jasmine Silva, So. C Jaylynn Potter, So. OF Anaya Vega.

Top newcomers: Hr, Utl. Jaliyah Brown, Fr. C/IF Finella Smith, Fr. P/1B Caylee Parker, Fr. DP/1B Ella Cook, Fr. OF Alexia Liriano, Fr. OF Princess Hernandez.

Outlook: The Whalers, who finished 3-16 a year ago, are still young, but have a more experienced group and better depth as they enter the 2018 season. New London still plays in a strong division, but Parker hopes her team can be more competitive this season and Parker's goal is "to improve every day."

NFA

Coach: Bryan Burdick (10th year)

Key returnees: Sr. C/SS Shea Gendron, Jr. CF Hailee Schrader, Jr. SS Sarah Cote, Jr. P/1B Bailey Comeau, Jr. 2B/OF Brooke Gottshall, Jr. 3B/C Julie Vincent, So. OF/P Sophia DiCocco.

Top newcomers: Jr. IF/OF Alexandria Blake, Fr. OF Alica Abdbe, Fr. C/1B Brenna Comeau.

Outlook: Gone is two-time Class LL all-state pitcher Beth Fleming, who led the Wildcats to the state semifinals in 2016 and quarterfinals last season. Stepping into that role this spring are Comeau and DiCocco, an ECC Division I all-star in the outfield last season. Schrader and Gendron were all-state selections a year ago, while Cote was an ECC all-star. NFA has plenty of talent and experience to remain competitive in the ECC and in Class LL.

ECC Division II

Montville

Coach: Derek Wainwright (1st year)

Key returnees: Sr. SS Amanda Perkins, So. P Alexis Michon, Jr. 3B Katelyn Price, Sr. 1B Emmiley Genua, Sr. OF Angel Skulczyk, So. OF/C Abby Diamantini.

Top newcomers: Sr. IF Cammy Mitchell, Fr. OF Rori Curran, Fr. C/OF Maggie Wainwright, Fr. OF Kylie Waite.

Outlook: Wainwright takes over a program that is on solid ground, returning its top five hitters from a team that went 9-13 and qualified for the ECC and state tournaments. Michon gained valuable pitching experience as a freshman, almost beating Division II champ Waterford late in the year before losing 3-2 in nine innings. Newcomers will also play key roles for the Indians, who hope to compete with Stonington and Waterford within the division and make another postseason run.

Stonington

Coach: Ann-Marie Houle (15th year)

Key returnees: Sr. P Trinity Lennon, Sr. SS Lainnie Connor, Sr. C Erin Craig, Sr. 3B Abby Flakus, Jr. IF Colette Dreher, Jr. CF Miranda Arruda, So. 1B Sarah Flakus, So. IF/C Katie McNeil, Jr. P Katie Sanford.

Top newcomers: Fr. OF Sophia Bell, Fr. OF Maggie Constantine, Fr. OF Tori LoPresto, Fr. OF Shea O'Connor, Fr. P Elaina Previty, So. IF Breanna McNeil, Sr. IF Zhamiya Moore.

Outlook: This could be a big year for the Bears, who return the core of last year's team that went 17-7 and reached the Class M quarterfinals. Lennon, Craig, Arruda and Abby Flakus were all ECC Division II first team all-stars. Houle also has high hopes for a number of newcomers who will see extensive varsity time this spring. "We know what it takes to get back there and we are ready to put the time into practice to achieve that," said Houle, who expects Stonington to challenge Waterford for the division title again.

Waterford

Coach: Andy Walker (3rd year)

Key returnees: Sr. P Ashley Goldstein, Sr. P Marissa Walker, Sr. Utl. Ashlee Hancock, Jr. 2B Ciana Chiappone, Jr. CF Chloe McCue, Jr. OF Regan Mazzulli, Jr. Utl. Cassidy Susi, Jr. C Alison Sanford, So. 1B Madison Nott, So. P/OF Rachel Miller, So. SS Gina McKittrick, So. 3B/C Taylor Lee.

Top newcomers: Sr. Utl. Molly Reagan, So. OF Riley Mazzella, Jr. OF Olivia Pacheco.

Outlook: The Lancers won the ECC Division II title, reached the ECC tournament semifinals and qualified for the state tournament despite fielding a relatively young team, so expectations are high again in Waterford. Goldstein, Chiappone and Nott were Division II first team all-stars a year ago when the Lancers had only two seniors. "We are very optimistic and excited about the upcoming season," Walker said. "We will be very competitive within the division and both the ECC and state tournaments."

ECC Division III

St. Bernard

Coach: Nicole Nelson (4th year)

Key returnees: Sr. C Briana Beverly, Jr. SS/P Emily Nelson, Jr,. IF Meghan Bergeron, Jr. IF Shania Riviere, So. OF Tai Quinones, Sr. OF Sarah Brown, Sr. OF Trinity Rashan.

Top newcomers: So. Utl. Taryn Bellinger, So. OF Natalie Cruz.

Outlook: The Saints return all but one starter from a team that went 9-12 in 2017 and qualified for the Class S state tournament. Beverly is a four-year starter and a key to St. Bernard's success while Emily Nelson replaces the graduated Sophia Nelson as the primary pitcher. Riviere has started since her freshman year and Bergeron had a solid offensive season as a sophomore. Coach Nelson is confident the Saints will be a factor in the Division III race and make a return trip to the state tournament.

Wheeler

Coach: Joe Cawley (8th year)

Key returnees: Sr. P Kendra Perez, Sr. C/SS Nikki Collins.

Top newcomers: Fr. 1B Molly Butremovic, Fr. IF Marissa Bergel, Fr. IF Julie Rudd.

Outlook: After winning three straight ECC Division III titles from 2014-16, the Lions couldn't overcome their youth and inexperience during a 3-15 season a year ago. Wheeler is still young this spring, but Cawley expects things to improve. Perez and Collins will lead the way while some of the Lions' new players gain experience in another tough division.

Others

Grasso Tech

Coach: John Blake (14th year)

Key returnees: Sr. 3B Elisa LeBron, Jr. OF Keylin Robles, Sr. OF Sierra Young, Sr. C Felishka Ramires, Jr. OF/1B Erin Blake.

Top newcomers: Fr. IF Samarie Delgado, Fr. OF Leslie Melendes, Fr. P Natalie Sheehan-Heon.

Outlook: The Eagles look for improvement this spring with a solid nucleus returning, plus a strong influx of young talent. "We're a young team with a lot of enthusiasm," said Blake, who believes Grasso Tech can make some noise in the new Connecticut Technical Conference and challenge for a state tournament berth.

Old Lyme

Coach: Tim Gavin (2nd year)

Key returnees: Sr. P/1B Audrey Gavin, So. Maddie Cann, Jr. SS Sadie Rubitski, Sr. CF Natalie Golden.

Top newcomers: Fr. SS/2B Grace Lathrop, Fr. P/1B Kassidy Standish, Fr. C Paige Kolesnik.

Outlook: The Wildcats went 5-15 during Gavin's first season as head coach. Old Lyme is still struggling with overall numbers, but Gavin expects the team to be stronger defensively and offensively. If some of the freshmen grow up quickly, there's no reason why the Wildcats can't be competitive in an always strong Shoreline Conference.