Nokomis’ Hallie Coots catches a ball during practices Tuesday. Coots is one of the pitchers who will try to fill in for her sister, Mia, who went 17-2 last season as a senior. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

Nokomis’ Kayla Morse throws the ball to first base during a practice drill April 8 in Newport. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

Gov. Janet Mills speaks in favor of the bill during a news conference and rally April 10 in support of LD 577 “An Act to Maximize Federal Funding and Protect Maine’s Universal School Meals Program” at the Maine State House’s Hall of Flags in Augusta. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Rep. Jim Thorne, R-Carmel, left, and Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, look up at the tally boards in opposite corners of House chamber during a vote April 8 at Maine State House in Augusta. Each of the tally boards has half the members’ names and displays a green Y or a red N after they vote. Libby is still under censure and can’t vote or speak during debate. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Eliza Donoghue, executive director of Maine Renewable Energy Association, talks on her phone on a landing between second and third floors April 8 at the Maine State House in Augusta. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

A person holding a megaphone leading a call-and-response chant yells “Tell me what democracy looks like” as the crowd responds “This is what democracy looks like,” at the start of a march April 5 during a Hands Off rally at the Maine State House in Augusta. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

A construction worker crosses a roof April 10 while working on the Alfond Center under construction at the University of Maine in Orono. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Cianbro workers are seen April 8 as they work to replace the Ticonic Bridge spanning the Kennebec River between Waterville and Winslow. The bridge is closed to all traffic with detours for pedestrians and vehicles. Work replacing the bridge began in December 2022 and is expected to be finished in May 2027. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Thomas College student Lindsay Eisenhart tosses branches onto a pile while cleaning up brush and trash April 8 during the Day of Caring activities at Pine Grove Cemetery in Waterville. About 20 students worked in the cemetery while other Thomas students were at Waterville Public Schools, Waterville Area Soup Kitchen, Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter, Humane Society of Greater Waterville and South End Neighborhood Association for Day of Caring work. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

A dog pokes its head out of the car window April 3 while arriving at Oosoola Park in Norridgewock. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Pies are scrutinized April 6 during the contest at the Maine Culinary Festival at the Augusta Civic Center in Augusta. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Jesse LaCasse pulls torpedo bats from a rack April 7 in Anson. See full gallery and story here. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Jesse LaCasse examines the barrel of a torpedo bat he turned on a wood lathe April 7 at Maine Billets in Anson. See gallery and story here. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel