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To view the full list of 2023 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

2023 Spring Team Preview: South Portland

SOUTH PORTLAND, Me. - After winning the school’s first state championship since 1952, South Portland had another great run last season before losing in the regional finals to eventual state champ Thornton Academy.

The prospects of strong pitching has head coach Mike Owens hopeful that a repeat of the 2021 season is achievable.

“We have some holes to fill as usual, but we have most of our pitching staff back led by SMAA Pitcher of the Year Andrew Heffernan,” related Owens, who in 13 years as head coach of the Red Riots has been to five regionals and a pair of state finals, losing in the 2015 championship contest in addition to the state title game win two years ago.

In 53.2 innings, the Merrimack commit had a 0.65 ERA to go along with a 6-2 record, striking out 58 and walking just five. A third baseman when not pitching, Heffernan also had a .328 average with 15 runs, 13 RBIs and eight stolen bases.

Nolan Hobbs, who started in the state championship game as a sophomore, will be the number two hurler. A signee with Bates, Hobbs was 7-1 with a 1.38 ERA a year ago, fanning 41 and allowing six base on balls in 40.2 frames. Nick Swain, a Dean College commit, will be either the third starter or closer. 

“We expect big things out of him,” Owens said of Swain. “He’s not thrown a ton, but I like what I’ve seen.”

Richie Gilboy, a catcher and first baseman last year, will pitch, catch and play third this season. The left-handed hitting St. Michael’s recruit, led South Portland in hitting last year with a .410 average, scoring 12 runs and driving in a dozen with seven stolen bases.

Gilboy and Swain are the catchers with Hobbs, who batted .286 with 10 runs and five steals, at first when not pitching. 

Leadoff hitter Johnny Poole, a Southern Maine commit, is back to play shortstop after averaging .338 with 17 runs scored and 20 stolen bases his junior year.

Heffernan and Gilboy are probable third basemen with newcomer Easton Healy, a sophomore, set to start at second.

Outfield, however, is uncertain according to Owens.

“That’s the mystery,” the South Portland mentor said. “We graduated our entire outfield. We have maybe 10 competing for three spots.”

Whoever is in the outfield, Owens has a lot to like about this year’s team.

“We have good depth and experience,” Owens related. “We have a lot of pitching depth with six, seven or even eight that we can put out there. We have the experience of these seniors that were a major part of the state championship and our infield is solid. The top five or six in our order can swing it and we can run a bit.

“I like the dynamic of the team, but we definitely have holes,” Owens continued. “We’re not a complete team yet, but there is a lot of experience back. In big situations or if they get down early, kids can get tight. But with the experience we have, especially on the mound, it relaxes everybody that we can do it.”

With a tough schedule ahead, Owens understands the challenges his team will face.

“Offensively we have to find ways to score runs,” Owens said. “We’ll face a lot of good arms so we have to figure out ways to score. We’ll be in most games with our pitching, but we still have to find guys to fill outfield spots.”

 

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