Greely’s A.J. Eisenhart makes a throw on the run during the Rangers’ 7-2 win at Cape Elizabeth Friday.

Yarmouth’s Luke Waeldner slides safely into second base as Freeport’s Heath Cockburn takes the throw during the Clippers’ 4-1 victory Monday.

North Yarmouth Academy’s Olivia Reynolds, with teammate Olivia Skillings running behind, compete in the Division II girls’ mile at Saturday’s Western Maine Conference championship meet. Reynolds finished first and Skillings was second.

Falmouth’s Maddy Joyce and Grace Dimick show off their trophy after winning the SMAA girls’ doubles tennis title last week.

(Ed. Note: For the complete Freeport-Yarmouth and Greely-Cape Elizabeth baseball game stories, with box scores and photos, see theforecaster.net)

Buckle up.

The fast and furious end of the spring sports season is upon us.

Tennis has crowned its singles champions, the team tennis tournament is underway, as is the outdoor track postseason, and the baseball, softball and lacrosse regular seasons are coming to a close.

There will be no shortage of excitement to come, as evidenced by some high drama in the days just past.

Here’s a glimpse at what you might have missed and a look ahead:

Tennis

Falmouth’s Nick Forester won the boys’ state singles tennis championship Monday. Last Friday, Forester, seeded first, eliminated Freeport’s Wes Godwin (a 6-2, 6-0 victor over Caribou’s Gabe Rand in the first round) by a 6-0, 6-2 margin in the second round. Saturday, in the round of 16, Forester downed Bangor’s Dennis Stewart, 6-0, 6-0, and in the quarterfinals, he beat No. 9 seed Quinn Clarke of Portland, 6-0, 6-0. In Monday’s semifinal round, Forester handled No. 4 Peter Mao of Mt. Ararat, 6-1, 6-1, then he defeated teammate Alex Klemperer, the No. 3 seed, 6-4, 6-1.

Forester lost in the final match a year ago to Mt. Ararat’s Nick Mathieu last spring.

“It was obviously a lot different than last year,” said Forester. “It was fun playing a teammate. We’re good friends and we play all the time.”

Klemperer was a 7-6 (4), 6-4, winner over York’s Dinon Hughes in the second round, defeated Freeport’s Clay Canterbury, 6-0, 6-4, in the round of 16, sixth-ranked Parker Deprey of Caribou, 6-3, 6-3, in the quarterfinals and No. 7 Jacob Greene of Waynflete, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, in the semifinals before losing to Forester.

Falmouth’s Matthew Ray wasn’t as fortunate. Ray downed Winslow’s Jake LaPierre, 6-0, 1-6, 6-0 (4) in the first round and upset Lewiston’s Caden Smith, 7-5, 6-3, in the sceond round before losing to Greene, 5-7, 0-6, in the round of 16.

Freeport’s Clay Canterbury beat Oceanside’s Abe LeMole, 6-0, 6-2, in the second round before being ousted by Klemperer.

Yarmouth’s William Nicholas beat Caribou’s Alec Cyr in a first round walkover, then outlasted Lewiston’s Ben St. Laurent, 6-2, 5-7, 6-0, in the second round. He lost, 0-6, 0-6, to Mao in the round of 16.

No local girls got to the semifinals.

Third-ranked Izzy Evans of Greely was a 6-1, 6-1, winner over Lewiston’s Julia Svor in the second round, then beat Mattanawcook’s Natalie Tilton, 6-0, 6-0, in the round of 16, but in the quarterfinals, Evans lost, 5-7, 6-3, 5-7, to No. 6 Caitlin Cass of Lincoln Academy.

Fifth-seeded Meredith Kelley of Falmouth defeated Brunswick’s Lea Scrapchansky, 6-2, 7-5, in the second round, then was ousted, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 4-6, by No. 12 Jocelyn Bolt of Gorham in the round of 16.

Falmouth’s Alston Armstrong beat North Yarmouth Academy’s Afton Morton, 6-2, 6-4, in the first round, then lost to Cass, 1-6, 1-6, in the second round.

Falmouth’s Sara Fallon lost, 2-6, 1-6, to Lincoln Academy’s Fiona Lang in the first round.

The SMAA girls’ doubles title was won by Falmouth’s Maddy Joyce and Grace Dimick, who beat Scarborough’s Amelia Hardy and Caelyn Sheil, 6-1, 6-0, in the final.

The team playoffs are underway.

Falmouth’s girls’ squad finished 12-0 for the 10th straight year and earned the top seed for the Class A South playoffs. The Yachtsmen, who have won 169 straight matches and 10 consecutive state championships, will host No. 8 Westbrook (8-4) or No. 9 Windham (6-6) in Thursday’s quarterfinals.

Defending Class B champion Greely also went 12-0, closing with a 4-1 win over St. Dom’s. The Rangers finished second in the Class B South standings to Lincoln Academy and host No. 7 York (7-5) in the quarterfinals Thursday.

Yarmouth wound up 8-4 and sixth after downing St. Dom’s (4-1) and Waynflete (5-0) last Tuesday. The Clippers go to No. 3 Cape Elizabeth (10-2) for the quarterfinals Thursday.

Freeport finished 4-8 and ninth in Class B South, but only eight teams from the region qualified.

In Class C South, NYA finished 4-8 and earned the eighth and final playoff spot in the region. The Panthers go to No. 1 Carrabec (10-0) in the quarterfinals Thursday.

Falmouth’s boys’ squad is poised to repeat after a 12-0 regular season. The Yachtsmen earned the top seed in Class A South and will host No. 8 Gorham (5-7) or No. 9 Cheverus (5-7) in the quarterfinals Thursday.

In Class B South, Freeport earned its highest ever ranking in the region, second, after completing a 9-3 campaign with a 5-0 win at NYA last Tuesday. The Falcons host seventh-ranked York (6-6) in the quarterfinals Thursday.

Yarmouth, the defending Class B South champion, finished 9-3 and third after twice beating St. Dom’s, 4-1 and 3-2, last week. The Clippers host sixth-ranked Gardiner (6-6) in the quarterfinals Thursday.

Greely finished 2-10 and 10th in the region, but only seven teams qualified for the postseason.

In Class C South, NYA went 0-12 and 11th (just eight teams made the cut).

The postseason continues with the semifinals Saturday, on the courts of the higher seeds. The regional finals are Thursday, June 7 in Lewiston and the state matches are Saturday, June 9, also in Lewiston.

Outdoor track

The Southwestern Maine Activities Association and Western Maine Conference outdoor track championship meets were held Saturday.

Falmouth took part in the SMAA meet at Thornton Academy. The Yachtsmen boys were second to Thornton Academy and got wins from Alvaro Fuentes in the 200 (22.67 seconds), Douglas Cooke in the 400 (50.82), John Auer in the mile (4 minutes, 25.74 seconds) and their 4×100 relay team (44.12).

Falmouth’s girls were sixth (Thornton Academy was first). Malaika Pasch won the 800 (2:19.50).

In the WMC meet in Naples, Greely’s girls were second to York in Division I. Freeport came in fourth and Yarmouth was eighth. The Rangers got wins from Carolyn Todd in the two-mile (11:41.66), Elizabeth Brown in the high jump (5-0) and Maggie McCormick in the pole vault (9-0). Falcons’ first-place finishers included Lilly Horne in the mile (5:13.52), The Clippers got a first-place finish from Caitlen Hewitt in the javelin (91-3). NYA came in fourth in Division II (Poland was first). The Panthers got wins from Olivia Reynolds in the mile (5:23.18) and two-mile (11:52.02) and Ellie Hilscher in the racewalk (10:35.37).

In the boys’ Division I competition, won by York, Freeport placed second, Greely was third and Yarmouth fourth. The Falcons got first-place showings from Nicholas Mitch in the 400 (54.25), Joe Ashby in the 800 (2:05.27) and their 4×400 relay team (Mitch, Alex Les, Griffin Agnese and Ashby, 3:37.84). Rangers’ event-winners included Luke Marsanskis in the two-mile (10:18.20). The Clippers got a win from Luke Laverdiere in the mile (4:24.00). In Division II, won by Sacopee Valley, NYA placed fifth. The Panthers got a victory from Te’Andre King in the high jump (5-8).

Next up are the state meets Saturday. Class A is at Morse High School in Bath, Class B at Foxcroft Academy and Class C at Masabesic High School in Waterboro.

Baseball

Falmouth’s two-time defending Class A South champion baseball team was 8-7 and ninth in the Heal Points standings at press time following home losses to Massabesic (9-2) and South Portland (4-2) and a 4-0 victory at Sanford. Sam Kidder singled and tripled against the Mustangs. Kidder and Marcus Cady both had multiple hits in the loss to the Red Riots. In the win, Griffin Aube had himself a day, earning the victory on the mound with a five-hitter, fanning 12, while hitting a home run. Connor Coffin and Garrett Tracy each added two hits. The Yachtsmen closed the regular season at home against Biddeford Tuesday.

In Class B South, Greely moved up to fifth at press time after Friday’s 7-2 victory at Cape Elizabeth. Will Neleski went the distance and A.J. Eisenhart walked twice with the bases loaded.

“It feels great to beat Cape,” Eisenhart said. “They swept us three games last year and beat us earlier in the season. It’s a huge Heal Points game.”

“Our goal was to get runners on base,” Neleski said. “When we do, we always have a chance to win.”

“We had a shaky start, but we’re challenging ourselves to be mentally tougher, trying to have more of a short-term memory,” Rangers coach Derek Soule added. “The way we started, earlier this year, we may not have been able to come back, but I’m pleased with where we are now.”

Greely (9-6) closed at Lake Region Tuesday.

Freeport lost a pair of tough home games last week, 14-12 (in eight-innings) to Fryeburg Academy and 4-3 to Gray-New Gloucester. Shea Wagner had four hits, including a home run, scored four times and had three RBI, while Toby Holt homered, had three RBI and scored twice in the loss to the Raiders. Against the Patriots, Gabe Wagner hit a home run and Heath Cockburn was the hard-luck loser. Monday, the Falcons finished 10-6 after a 4-1 loss at Yarmouth Monday. Gabe Wagner stole five bases, but Freeport managed only four hits and committed two errors.

“We stranded runners in scoring position in the first four innings,” lamented Falcons coach Bill Ridge. “We were one hit away. We didn’t have a particularly strong day in the field and that allowed too many base-runners.”

Freeport was sixth in the standings at press time.

Defending Class B South champion Yarmouth wound up 9-7 after a 9-3 home loss to Wells, a 10-4 victory at Fryeburg Academy and Monday’s 4-1 home win over Freeport. Against the Warriors, Jackson Caruso, Dom Morrill and Jack Romano all had two hits. Morrill earned the win against the Raiders, as Aidan Hickey had three RBI and Ben Norton drove in a pair of runs. Monday, Luke Waeldner struck out 13 and scored two runs and Norton and Romano each had two RBI.

“I just trusted (catcher) James (Waaler) and his calls and kept it in the zone,” Waeldner said. “My defense made plays.”

“This was huge for us to start building momentum going into playoffs,” Romano said. “It’s great to know we can beat a top team.”

“Now it starts all over,” Yarmouth coach Marc Halsted added. “It’s a totally different team from last year. It depends how good a coaching job we do over the next seven days to get the kids ready and if the kids have the mentality to want to get better. If they do, we’ll have another good run. We still have a huge ceiling.”

In Class D South, NYA fell to 1-10 and ninth (only eight teams make the playoffs) following a 17-7 (five-inning) loss at Traip Academy, an 11-4 home loss to Old Orchard Beach and Monday’s 10-1 home loss to Traip Academy. Joe Strabley had three hits in the first loss to the Rangers. Dan Zajkowski had two RBI against the Seagulls. Jackson Linscott hit an RBI double in Monday’s setback. The Panthers closed at St. Dom’s Wednesday.

The baseball playoffs begin Tuesday of next week with the preliminary round. The quarterfinals are Thursday. Those games will be contested on the diamonds of the higher seeds.

Softball

Greely’s softball team moved up to sixth in the Class B South Heals at press time after improving to 8-7 with a 15-6 win at Cape Elizabeth Friday. The Rangers led, 15-1, after an inning-and-a-half and cruised from there, as Kelsey Currier hit a home run and earned the victory. Greely closed at Lake Region Tuesday.

Yarmouth finished the regular season 9-7 following an 8-7 home loss to Wells, a 10-5 setback at Fryeburg Academy and Monday’s 18-2, five-inning home victory over Freeport. Ceanne Lyon had three hits and drove in two runs, while Hannah Merrill had a double and a triple against the Warriors. In the loss to the Raiders, Lyon, Tasha Powers and Cate Ralph all had multiple hits. In the victory, Powers, Sophie McGrath and Lydia Guay all had three hits. The Clippers were ranked eighth in the region at press time.

Freeport finished 2-14 and 15th in Class B South (only 12 teams make the playoffs) following losses to visiting Fryeburg Academy (8-3) and Gray-New Gloucester (10-3) and host Yarmouth (18-2, in five-innings). Alexys Langley, Callie Toothaker and Brianna Welch all had two hits in the loss to the Patriots. Against the Clippers, Alexa Koenig had a double.

The Maine Girls’ Academy/Falmouth co-op team wound up 3-13 and 13th in Class A South (only 12 teams make the playoffs) following losses against visiting Massabesic (17-3), host Marshwood (16-6) and host Noble (13-1, in five-innings). Liberty Ladd had three hits against the Mustangs. In the loss to the Knights, Ladd tripled and drove in the lone run.

The Cheverus/NYA co-op squad also finished 3-13 and placed 14th in Class A South following a 2-1 home loss to Portland and a setbacks at Noble (16-2, in five-innings) and Sanford (9-8, in eight-innings).

The softball playoffs begin Tuesday of next week with the preliminary round. The quarterfinals are Thursday. Those games will be contested on the diamonds of the higher seeds.

Boys’ lacrosse

Falmouth’s boys’ lacrosse team took a 10-0 record into Tuesday evening’s showdown at Thornton Academy in a possible Class A state final preview (see theforecaster.net for game story). The Yachtsmen handled visiting Cheverus, 21-7, last Tuesday behind five goals from Nick Farnham and four apiece from Henry Farnham and Reilly Tucker. Falmouth (first in the Class A North Heals at press time) closes the regular season at home against defending Class A South champion Scarborough Saturday.

In Class B, Yarmouth was first in the Heals at press time at 8-2 following last Wednesday’s 8-2 home loss to Cape Elizabeth. The Clippers had a pivotal home showdown with second-ranked Greely Tuesday and close at Waynflete Thursday (see theforecaster.net for game story).

Greely was also 8-2 after wins at Freeport (22-6) and at home over Kennebunk (15-6) last week. In the win over the Falcons, Drew Lawrence had five goals, while Ben Kennedy and Schuyler Wetmore each added four. Against the Rams, Wetmore had four goals, while Lawrence and Ethan Fraser each added three. The Rangers (second in Class B) went to Yarmouth Tuesday and close at home with a pivotal contest against defending state champion Cape Elizabeth Friday.

In Class C, NYA fell to 6-4 following last Wednesday’s 11-8 home loss to York. The Panthers (third in the region) went to Wells Wednesday and close at home versus Gray-New Gloucester Friday.

Freeport fell to 0-10 and 14th (10 teams make the playoffs) after losses to visiting Greely (22-7) and Westbrook (14-12) and at Camden Hills (15-7). The Falcons were at St. Dom’s Wednesday and close at home versus York Friday.

The lacrosse playoffs begin Wednesday of next week with the quarterfinal round, on the fields of the higher seeds.

Girls’ lacrosse

On the girls’ side, Falmouth has the top seed in Class A North wrapped up. The Yachtsmen improved to 9-2 after a 15-7 win at Bonny Eagle last Thursday. Caitlyn Camelio led the way with five goals. Falmouth closed at home versus Thornton Academy Tuesday (see theforecaster.net for game story).

Yarmouth was 8-2 and first in Class B following wins over visiting York (12-7) and host Messalonskee (18-7). Eva Then had five goals and Abi Thornton three in the victory over the Wildcats. Against the Eagles, Then scored five more goals. The Clippers were home with Greely Wednesday (see theforecaster.net for game story) and close at Waynflete Friday (see theforecaster.net for game story).

Greely was second in Class B despite falling to 7-3 after losses to visiting St. Dom’s (14-13, in overtime) and at Lake Region (13-10). Courtney Sullivan scored four goals against the Saints. Jayme Morrison scored four times in the loss to the Lakers. After playing at Yarmouth Wednesday, the Rangers close at home versus Cape Elizabeth Saturday (see theforecaster.net for game story).

In Class C, Freeport moved up to fourth at 7-3 after a historic 9-7 home victory over Waynflete and a 17-7 win at Bonny Eagle. Chloe Davidson and Taylor Rinaldi both scored three times in the Falcons’ first-ever victory over the Flyers.

“A win against Waynflete is huge for the program,” said Freeport coach Marcia Wood. “I’ve been saying it for years with my team that we are capable of playing with the better teams, but we just needed to do it and we did. It gives us the confidence to play with the top teams.”

Against the Scots, Rinaldi scored times and Davidson added four goals.

After going to Wells Wednesday, the Falcons close at home versus St. Dom’s Friday.

NYA was 4-7 and clinging to the eighth and final Class C playoff spot at press time after a 20-4 loss at Cape Elizabeth and a 15-12 home victory over Wells. Bella MacMahon had four goals, Charlotte Collins, Helen Hamblett and Lincoln Hamblett three apiece and Natalie Farrell two in the victory. The Panthers closed at home versus Fryeburg Academy Wednesday.

The lacrosse playoffs begin Wednesday of next week with the quarterfinal round, on the fields of the higher seeds.

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

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