Five High School Sports Teams to Watch This Spring

With last weekend’s tease of 60- and 70-degree weather, it felt like spring had arrived. Since Monday, the temps have dipped, but  student-athletes have been heating up their tryouts and preseason practices.

Tennis balls are bouncing, baseball and softball diamonds have been dirtied, tracks have felt the footsteps of newly broken-in sneakers and lacrosse sticks are covered in new grip.

To get ready for the upcoming high school athletic season, Patch is looking at five Lexington High School teams to watch this spring.

1. Boys Tennis

Lexington’s only loss in its 2010 season was against Wellesley High School in the MIAA Division 1 state semifinals, where the Minutemen fell 4-1 after having a 3-2 advantage early in the match. The hardworking Minutemen lost, yes, but, under the guidance of head coach Chris Pugliese, they took home 23 victories and the Middlesex League and Division 1 North section titles. Will the Minutemen follow-up with another undefeated regular season? Find out when Lexington plays at Belmont High School on April 4 at 3:30 p.m.

2. Girls Track and Field

Another Lexington team that earned an undefeated season as well as the title of Middlesex League champions last spring was the girls’ outdoor track team. The 8-0 regular season squad claimed the honor after its ninth win, beating fellow 8-0 team Burlington, 80-56. The Minutemen race Burlington this spring on May 17 at 3:30 p.m. Lexington opens its season April 5 at 3:30 p.m. against Woburn High School.

3. Baseball

The boys capped off their 17-2 season as Middlesex League champions, but ultimately ended their run in the postseason at 18-3 after losing 7-5 in 10 innings to Lowell in the MIAA tournament. Can head coach Tom O’Grady bring the Minutemen to postseason play once more? Lexington starts its season against Lowell at 4 p.m. on April 8.

4. Softball

The two-time defending Division 1 state champions succumbed to Concord-Carlisle, 5-0, in last year’s MIAA Division 1 North final. For the first time since 2007, the Minutemen weren’t state champions. Without 2009 Lexington graduate and pitcher Kiki Saveriano, the Minutemen struggled slightly in 2010, losing eight regular season games. But they had an exciting 24 hours of play leading up to the final, with an 11-inning win over Newton North in quarterfinal play and an RBI single in the seventh for an 8-7 victory over Central Catholic in the semifinals. How will the girls fare this spring season? Find out during their first game on April 12 at 3:45 p.m. against Woburn High School.

5. Girls Lacrosse

The eighth-seeded Minutemen played top-seeded Framingham High School in the North Division 1 quarterfinals, where they were beaten in a close 20-16 match. The girls ended the season with a 15-6-1 record. Will Lexington improve and make it even farther this season? They head to Woburn High School on April 1 for a 3:45 p.m. game.