It was a near miss of the playoffs for Oak Hill softball last year, but the Raiders hope to close that gap this season.

Oak Hill finished 9-7 and missed out of the regional playoffs. The Raiders return much of that team and could challenge for a berth in the B South field.

“This is the year we have been working toward since the senior’s freshman season,” said Oak Hill coach Allyson Collins. “They have put in the time. They have the drive and this is their year.”

Oak Hill has seven returning players and an experienced group that hopes to do good things this season.

Seniors Makayla Nadeau, Grace Sabine, Jamie Prue and Brooke Surette return for the Raiders. Nadeau is a proven pitcher. Sabine and Prue were all-MVC picks while Surette is a seasoned player in the infield as well. Junior Emma Hlister was also an all-conference pick as a catcher. Fellow juniors Hannah Nadeau and Charlotte Waterman also return.

Also in the MVC, Mountain Valley went 7-9 and lost in the C regional quarterfinals. The Falcons will have a tougher time moving back to B South, but the Falcons have enough talent back to win its share of MVC games.

Seniors Karen Flaherty, Sydney Petrie, Jordyn Turner, Kelli Trenoweth and Victoria Meader all return for the Falcons while the team also has juniors Emily Laubauskas, Abby Mazza Grace Briggs Jordan Duguay, Hanna Pierce and Liza White back. The Falcons will have to replace three starters including pitcher Lindsay Marston.

In KVAC B, Leavitt was among the top teams last year and could be again. The Hornets went 13-3 and lost to Yarmouth in the quarterfinals. Leavitt has seven seniors back including all-conference infielder and catcher Kaitlyn DeBlois. Other returning seniors include Delanie Strout, Ashley Kelley, Angela Daigle, Cierra Hilliard, Alivia Bubier and Maddie Green. Juniors Abby Robertson, Alana Hartford, Briana Noniewicz and sophomore Kassie Murch also return, giving the Hornets a veteran club that should win some games.

“We have high expectations with this veteran group playing behind one of the top pitchers in the region in Robertson,” said Leavitt coach Kevin Leonard. “Add in a very strong freshman class, we’re looking to match last year’s achievements.”

Spruce Mountain finished 7-9 in the KVAC last year and graduated a wealth of players from a club that missed the playoffs.

“In spite of graduating a large contingent of seniors from last year’s team, we will return the entire infield and battery from last season,” said Spruce Mountain coach Clint Brooks. “Although the move into the KVAC brought its anticipated challenges, four of our losses were by three or less runs.”

Emily Hogan, Grace Ryan, Kaylee Leclerc and Avery Goding are the only seniors back. Junior Alex Bessey and sophomores Mikala Holt, Allison Acritelli and Hailee Perkins also return.

“This is a young, enthusiastic and talented team that expects to be at its best every time they take the field,” Brooks said.

In the Western Maine Conference, Gray-New Gloucester went 12-6 and lost in the semifinals. The Patriots lost four players and three starters from that group. Senior Kaelyn Woods, junior Haley True and sophomore Alie Martel are veteran players back for Gray-NG.

Poland has a new coach and some holes to fill after graduating seven seniors. The only returning players back are senior Erin Brewer, juniors Sarah Walton and Maddie Simard and sophomore Morgan Brousseau.

“Despite losing a number of last year’s starters to graduation, the Knights have a strong junior class ready to step up and fill those holes,” said Poland coach Connor King.

A number of other WMC teams should contend in the regional tournament again. Yarmouth edged Fryeburg in the regional title game last year. Both clubs should be teams to win this year. Greely reached the semifinals and lost to Yarmouth while Lincoln Academy and York were quarterfinal teams last year. Cape Elizabeth should be in the hunt as well.

kmills@sunjournal.com