Varsity baseball returns to Wiscasset Middle High School on April 18 when the Wolverines host Hall-Dale. The Wolverines, who have dropped to Class D, have a 16-game schedule in the Mountain Valley Conference. They’ll be facing all Class C teams during the regular season.

“That should help us as far as the Heal standings go. If we qualify for the playoffs, we’ll play against other Class D schools,” said Coach Gregg Wood who is returning for his third season. He led the Wolverines to the Mountain Valley Conference Class C playoffs in 2016.

WMHS was unable to field a varsity team in 2017 and played a junior varsity schedule. The team finished with a 5-1 record with wins against Brunswick, Carrabec, Richmond and Medomak. Unfortunately, the Wolverines lost their best starting pitcher to graduation.

Wood said this year’s roster is young but eager to learn. “We’ve had nine freshmen that have been coming to practice. All of them played for the middle school team last year and some of them will be seeing a lot of playing time for me this season.”

Ronald Drake and Andrew Hendrickson are the team’s only seniors. Both pitched last season, along with returnee Hayden Dunning, one of only two juniors. Sophomores Archie Brewer and freshman C.J. Roberts might figure in the coach’s pitching rotation as well.

“I can’t say who will be starting for us opening day until we get outdoors. I expect it will be either Drake or Hendrickson on the mound for us. We’ll see,” added Wood.

James Hodsdon, who is home-schooled, is the team’s other junior. Freshmen on the roster include Josh Dalton, Ryan Potter, Matt Eckert, Brian Foye, Dalton Roy, Casey Mills, Josh Dualan, Kyle St. Pierre and Roberts.

Wood hopes his team will be competitive. “Realistically, to qualify for the playoffs, we’ll need to win at least five MVC games,” he said.

The team has a pair of home preseason games scheduled, one with Lincoln Academy, April 5 (field conditions permitting), and another with Morse High School on April 11. Both games begin at 4 p.m.

The Wolverines’ home opener with Hall-Dale is during school vacation week and scheduled to start at 11 a.m. On April 20, WMHS travels to Dirigo, returning to host Mt. Abram April 23.