(Ed. Note: For the complete Deering-Westbrook baseball, Cheverus-Deering and Waynflete-Cape Elizabeth boys’ lacrosse and Waynflete-NYA girls’ lacrosse game stories, with photos and box scores, please visit theforecaster.net)

While outdoor track and tennis are just getting underway (please see accompanying previews), city baseball, softball and lacrosse teams have seen action and it looks like a dramatic season is in store.

Here’s a glimpse at the limited action so far:

Baseball

Cheverus’ baseball team is one of many viewed as a contender this spring and the Stags got off to a great start Friday with an 11-1 win at Gorham. Mitchell Powers dominated on the mound, allowing just four hits, while striking out 11 batters. Chris Tinsman tripled, singled and scored three runs and Felix del Vecchio added two hits and three RBI. Cheverus returned to action Tuesday at home against Noble. The Stags go to Marshwood Thursday, host Biddeford Saturday and welcome Scarborough Tuesday of next week.

Deering fell in its opener, 5-1, to visiting reigning Class A champion Westbrook. Ryan Carmichael doubled in the lone run.

“It’s typical of a first game of the year,” said Deering coach Tim Eisenhart. “The kids’ timing was way off. The weather hasn’t been at the point where we’ve been able to get outside. We did do some things well.”

Friday, the Rams dropped to 0-2 with an 11-6 loss at Massabesic. Pat Viola had two RBI and Carmichael scored twice. Deering is at Sanford Thursday and welcomes Thornton Academy Friday.

Portland dropped its opener, 1-0, to visiting Sanford, despite a strong effort from pitcher Ryan Dixon. Friday, the Bulldogs avenged last year’s playoff loss with a 2-1 victory at Westbrook. Nick DiPalma earned the win. Portland goes to Thornton Academy Thursday and hosts Gorham Saturday.

Waynflete began with a 5-1 loss at Western B contender Gray-New Gloucester. After hosting Traip Monday, the Flyers welcome Greater Portland Christian School for a doubleheader Wednesday and go to Old Orchard Beach Friday.

Softball

Cheverus and Deering opened the softball season Friday and the visiting Stags prevailed, 12-2. Brittany Bell earned the win by throwing a two-hitter with a whopping 18 strikeouts. Libby DesRuisseaux had four hits and two RBI. Cheverus hosted McAuley Monday, plays host to Marshwood Wednesday, goes to McAuley Saturday and visits Windham Monday of next week.

Deering got two hits, including a double, from Cassidy Coyne in its loss to Cheverus. The Rams were at Windham Monday, host Westbrook Wednesday, go to Biddeford Friday and play host to Portland in a doubleheader Monday of next week.

Portland lost its opener at Thornton Academy, 10-1. The Bulldogs hosted Noble Monday, go to Sanford Wednesday, play host to Massabesic Friday, then have a doubleheader at Deering Monday.

McAuley dropped a 13-inning marathon to visiting Marshwood in its first game, 7-5. Maddie Beaulieu tripled and homered. The Lions were at Cheverus Monday, host Windham Wednesday, go to Westbrook Friday, host Cheverus Saturday and welcome Biddeford Monday of next week.

Boys’ lacrosse

Cheverus’ boys’ lacrosse team, the two-time defending Eastern A champion, began its season with a tough 9-8 loss at Thornton Academy, then handled Deering in its home opener Friday, 17-7. Thomas Lawson and Nick Schleh both scored three times in the victory.

“I’m happy with what we did today,” Lawson said. “We were clicking.”

“We’ve worked hard in practice on playing at a higher level,” said Stags second-year coach Bill Bodwell. “We’ve placed a little more emphasis on being stronger and tougher and faster. The big thing for us is sharing the ball.”

Cheverus had a showdown at preseason favorite South Portland Monday night (see theforecaster.net for game story) and goes to Gorham Thursday.

Deering got three goals from Alec Halpin in its loss to Cheverus in its opener.

“They beat us in all three phases of the game,” said Rams coach Jon Dubois. “The out-transitioned us. They beat us on offense and defense.”

Deering hosted Portland Monday, goes to Thornton Academy Thursday and plays at four-time Class A champion Scarborough Tuesday of next week.

Portland got off to a fast start with a 15-3 home romp over Noble. Brady Green had four goals and Mike Fuller added three goals with three assists. After going to Deering Monday, the Bulldogs host Scarborough Thursday and play at Windham Monday.

Waynflete had to open at reigning Class B champion Cape Elizabeth and lost, 15-1. Will Lewis scored the goal.

“We tried to run with them, but they’re a good team,” Flyers coach Dan Thomsen said. “They’re always tough.”

Waynflete looked to get in the win column Tuesday when it hosted York. Friday, the Flyers are at Fryeburg. They host North Yarmouth Academy Tuesday of next week.

Girls’ lacrosse

On the girls’ side, Waynflete, the two-time defending Class B champion, opened at NYA Saturday morning and got a scare, but escaped, 6-5, when Cat Johnson scored with 8.6 seconds to go. Johnson and Ella Millard both scored twice.

“It was very exciting,” said Johnson. “This is step one in like a 20-step process. Once we found our tempo, we were OK.”

“A win is a win,” said Flyers coach Cathie Connors. “I felt like we’d be able to pull it off, but NYA is very improved.”

Waynflete plays at Yarmouth in a state final rematch Wednesday, welcomes Falmouth in its home opener Friday and goes to Wells Tuesday.

Defending Class A champion Cheverus begins its season Friday when it goes to Deering.

Deering began with a 7-5 home loss to Mt. Ararat. The Rams host Cheverus Friday, then go to Noble Monday.

Portland opened its season Tuesday at home versus Biddeford. Tuesday of next week, the Bulldogs host reigning Western A champion Massabesic.

McAuley begins its season Wednesday at Marshwood. The Lions go to Biddeford Tuesday of next week.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.

Sidebar Elements

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Deering freshman Chase Walter is defended by Cheverus’ Fritz Gemmer during the Stags’ 17-7 win Friday afternoon.

Waynflete senior Ella Millard soars for a shot during Saturday morning’s season opener at North Yarmouth Academy. Millard scored twice and the Flyers escaped the vastly improved Panthers, 6-5.