The playoff race in Western Maine Class C is shaping up to be a competitive one this season.

Madison, Telstar, Hall-Dale, Mountain Valley and Dirigo should all be strong clubs and could be among the top squads in the MVC and Western C field.

The defending C state champs from Madison graduated five players, including standout pitcher Emily McKenney, but the Bulldogs still have a nucleus of last year’s club returning. Eight players on last spring’s roster were underclassmen. If the Bulldogs can fill some holes, they’ll be back at it again.

Hall-Dale lost in the regional final to the Bulldogs and graduated just three players. The other Bulldogs should be a seasoned club that will challenge the top teams.

Telstar and Mountain Valley each lost in the semifinals last spring. The Rebels were edged in a close one by Madison. Though Telstar lost pitcher Jessica Dirago and veteran infielder Autum Morin, the Rebels still have an experienced squad led by senior Sadie Ellsworth, a four-year starter, senior Katie Merrill, a three-year starter, and junior Becca Howard, also a three-year starter. Junior Olivia York and sophomore Tehya Johnson are expected to handle the pitching duties.

“We expect to compete with the top teams in the conference,” Telstar coach Jim Lunney said. “We hope to have a strong defense and aggressive and opportunistic offense. We believe that our pitching will be strong. Our goals are high and we will work hard to reach those goals.”

The Falcons also lost a tough one in the semifinals. Though Mountain Valley graduated seven players from that squad, eight players are returning. Pitcher Lindsay Marston joins seniors Samantha Higley and Adelle Oswald and juniors Karen Flaherty, Sydney Petrie and Kelli Trenoweth. They were all part of last years’ squad. Sophomores Emily Laubauskas and Abby Mazza were also regulars on that team.

“We’re excited with the talent we see,” Mountain Valley coach Lisa Russell said. “We were hit with some pretty significant losses, but we have a talented group eager to step up to the plate and fill those positions.”

Dirigo has 12 players back and boasts a veteran squad that should contend. The Cougars have both pitchers returning in Ellen Wainwright and Katelyn Olsen. Dirigo will have an experienced and strong defense in the field.

“The skill, leadership and togetherness this team has as a whole is probably the strongest we’ve ever had,” Dirigo coach Sara Thurston said.

Monmouth was a playoff club last year and lost in the quarterfinals to Hall-Dale. The Mustangs return nine players. Monmouth graduated some key veterans but have seniors Shannon Buzzell and Caroline Bonenfant and junior Mikayla Cameron leading the returnees. The Mustangs will still be young with 10 underclassmen on the roster.

“Last year was a great learning and growing year for our young players and new coaches,” Monmouth coach Dave Kaplan said. “We are confident that this year we can build on that success.”

Lisbon returns much of its team from last year. The Greyhounds finished strong and earned a playoff spot. Now 15 players return including eight seniors, led by veteran pitcher Kailyn Hill.

“The potential to have a great season is there if the girls work hard during practice and games,” Lisbon coach Terri Trudell Tlumac said.

Winthrop was in the playoff field last year but graduated most of its team and has a new coach. Lilly Beauregard and Tess Moody are the only returning players on that club.

Mt. Abram hopes to build off last year despite having a young club. Senior pitcher Katie Jordan leads the club along with seniors Jacey Davenport, Kenzie Tyler, and Brooke Lyn Millbury. The Roadrunners hope to continue to improve and challenge for a playoff spot.

St. Dom’s is a young squad that nearly cancelled its varsity season because of low numbers. Still, the Saints have veteran pitchers Johanna Cullenberg and Allie Veinote and Jacqueline Schmitz behind the place. Outfielder Sarah Clark is the only other returning player.

Carrabec was also a playoff squad last year and should have enough talent back to contend for the postseason.