To say the Wiscasset High School boys varsity baseball team came close to winning a state title a year ago is an understatement.

The team came within two outs of bringing Wiscasset its first team championship in two decades.

But, instead of reminiscing over what might have been, head coach Mike Bowles said the team is ready for another shot at a trophy.

If this team is to go on a similar run (last year it played a Class C regular season schedule then almost ran the table in a Class D playoff schedule) it likely won't be sneaking up on anyone, Bowles said.

“We might not be able to sneak up and bite anyone, like we did last year,” he said. “But I'm excited for the new season, to see what it brings.”

Bowles said that while the team is largely unchanged, it will have a different strength this season.

“I think our leadership is going to be (our) strength this year, I really do,” he said. “The juniors and seniors who were on the team last year know what it takes (to win), they've been there. And you see some of the younger guys taking direction from them.

“Some teams say their strength is hitting, or pitching or fielding, but I really think our strength is leadership. Our guys know what's expected of them, and they know what they have to do to be successful.”

Of the team that lost in the state finals to Bangor Christian a year ago, only three seniors have graduated, while eight players return. Wolverines will also pull from a slew of young players, and some who are returning to the diamond after a few years, Bowles said.

“Those eight guys have that playoff experience, they know what it's like playing in those pressure situations,” he said. “They know that if they play all-out, they can win a lot of games.”

On the field, the Wolverines should again feature a pair of aces.

Daren Wood and Tyler Bailey, both of whom started and won playoff games a season ago, return for another season. Bowles said the team is trying out several players to add to its pitching depth.

Also returning for one more year are seniors Tyler Flavin and Matt Craig, the latter of whom is coming back from a knee injury to patrol centerfield.

“It looks like it's going to be a good mix of new players and returning guys,” Bowles said. “It looks like we've got a few (underclassmen) who could step right in.”

Bowles said that should Wiscasset make the playoffs, some of the teams the Wolverines beat from the Western Division in the playoffs a year ago (Richmond and Valley) along with Searsport could make noise. Without a regular season game against those opponents, it can be hard to know what the team is about to face, Bowles said, but so long as the team keeps its current attitude, he said the Wolverines should again do well.

“People take more pride — they don't want to let the next guy down,” he said. “That's something that didn't develop until late last year, but it's already there to begin the year. And that's huge.”