(Ed. Note: For the complete Falmouth-Cape Elizabeth baseball, Yarmouth-Cape Elizabeth boys’ lacrosse and Yarmouth-Freeport girls’ lacrosse game stories, with additional photos and box scores, see theforecaster.net)

The fun has begun for everyone and the short and sweet spring sports season promises to be triumphant across the board.

Whether the sport is baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis or track, local athletes have already made a mark.

Here’s a glimpse:

Baseball

Greely’s defending Class B state champion baseball team is off to another terrific start. The Rangers, who downed visiting Fryeburg Academy in the opener, 10-0 (in five innings), last week won at Kennebunk (6-4) and Lake Region (8-5) and at home over Poland (11-3). Against the Rams, Ryan Twitchell won his first varsity start, striking out 10 in 4.2 scoreless innings. Miles Shields had three RBI and Justin Leeman drove in two. Greely’s mind-boggling streak of shutout innings finally ended at 51, leaving the Rangers fourth all-time nationally, five innings short of the all-time record. In the win over the Lakers, Jordan Merrifield got the win in relief. Leeman and Chaz Reade had multiple hits and Austin Nowinski helped preserve the victory with a highlight reel diving catch. Against the Knights, ace Will Bryant struck out 10 and didn’t allow an earned run in six innings. Bryant also homered and had an RBI double. Shields had a key two-run hit and Cal Soule finished with two hits and four runs scored. Monday, Greely fell to 4-1 after a 9-5 loss at Wells. Soule had two more hits and Leeman had two RBI. The Rangers were at Yarmouth Wednesday, host Falmouth Friday (see theforecaster.net for game story), welcome York Monday and go to Cape Elizabeth Wednesday.

Yarmouth won four of its first five games. After a 3-2 home win over Poland in the opener April 16, the Clippers lost at home to Cape Elizabeth, 4-3, then downed visiting Freeport, 7-3, and won at Fryeburg Academy, 17-3, in six innings. In the win over the Falcons, Cody Cook and Luke Klenda both had two hits and helped pitch the way to victory. Against the Raiders, Jordan Brown had three RBI, Andrew Kinsman earned the win and Yarmouth took advantage of 12 Fryeburg Academy walks and being hit by pitches four times. A seven-run top of the sixth inning induced the mercy rule. Monday, the Clippers won at Gray-New Gloucester, 19-6. Klenda homered, Charles Cawley had three hits and Cook added two doubles. Yarmouth hosted Greely Wednesday, visits Cape Elizabeth Saturday, goes to Lake Region Monday and plays at Poland Wednesday of next week.

Freeport opened with a 6-1 win at Wells, then lost at home to Yarmouth (7-3) and Falmouth (5-2). Jack Davenport earned the victory against the Warriors with a four-hitter and he also launched a home run. Davenport had three hits in all. The Falcons lost, 6-0, to visiting York Monday to fall to 1-3. Freeport was at Cape Elizabeth Wednesday, hosts Poland Thursday, welcomes Fryeburg Academy and goes to Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday of next week.

Falmouth started 4-1. After a 4-0 win at York in the opener (behind Cam Guarino’s three-hit shutout), the Yachtsmen were stunned at home by Cape Elizabeth, 9-6, after the Capers erupted for six runs in the top of the seventh.

“It got away,” Falmouth coach Kevin Winship lamented. “(Cape) did what they needed to do to win the game. We didn’t do anything wrong, they just did what they needed to. They got key hits when they needed them.”

After getting back in the win column with a 5-2 win at Freeport (Guarino earned another victory). Monday, the Yachtsmen prevailed at Fryeburg Academy, 16-6, as they put it away with seven runs in the seventh. Connor Aube had three hits. Falmouth hosted Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday, visits Greely Friday, hosts Kennebunk Monday and welcomes Lake Region Wednesday of next week.

North Yarmouth Academy lost at home to Buckfield (12-7) and at Richmond (14-4) to start the season, then lost last week at Sacopee Valley (14-4) and at home to Traip Academy (6-2). The Panthers went to Old Orchard Beach Monday and lost, 12-2, to fall to 0-5. NYA was at Traip Wednesday, hosts Waynflete Saturday and welcomes Traip Wednesday of next week. 

Softball

Yarmouth’s softball team, a Western B semifinalist in 2014, has turned heads early this season. The Clippers began with an 11-4 win at Cape Elizabeth and after April vacation, beat the Capers again, 11-6. Last week, Yarmouth dominated host Freeport (22-0, in five innings) and eked out a 9-7 win at perennial power Fryeburg Academy. Against the Falcons, Mari Cooper allowed just one hit on the mound and had four hits and three RBI. Colleen Sullivan and Cat Thompson both had three hits. In the win over the Raiders, the Clippers pushed across two runs in the seventh. Cooper had three RBI and Andrea St. Pierre drove in a pair of runs. Yarmouth improved to 5-0 Monday with a 5-1 victory at Gray-New Gloucester. Thompson earned the win and Eleanor O’Gorman and Michelle Robichaud had multiple hits. The Clippers host Greely Wednesday (see theforecaster.net for game story), welcome Sacopee Valley Friday, go to Lake Region Monday and visit Poland Wednesday of next week.

Greely started with wins over visiting Traip Academy (16-1, in five innings) and at Kennebunk (10-7), then dropped a marathon 6-5 12-inning decision at Lake Region and fell at home to Poland, 8-3. Evan Carrell, Sarah Felkel, Audrey Mann and Miranda Moore all had two hits against the Lakers. In the loss to the Knights, Kayley Cimino hit a home run. Monday, at Wells, the Rangers got back on track with a 6-2 win. Freshman Kelsey Currier went the distance to earn the win and Sarah Felkel had three hits, including a triple. Greely went to Yarmouth Wednesday, hosts Fryeburg Academy in a makeup game Thursday, welcomes Falmouth Friday and plays at Cape Elizabeth Wednesday of next week.

Freeport started 0-4, falling at Wells (11-4) and Yarmouth (22-0, in five innings), at home to Falmouth (22-0, in five innings) and at York (15-0, in six innings). The Falcons host Poland Thursday, welcome Fryeburg Academy Monday and go to Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday of next week.

Falmouth started with losses at York (5-2) and at home to Cape Elizabeth (15-3, in six innings), then won at Freeport (22-0, in five innings). Maddie Rouhana homered against the Capers. Monday, at Fryeburg Academy, the Yachtsmen dropped to 1-3 after an 11-9 loss. Falmouth trailed, 6-0, rallied to lead, 9-6, then went down to a painful defeat despite five hits from Liz Walker, four from Jess Colilns and three from Julia Treadwell. After hosting Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday, Falmouth is at Greely Friday, hosts Kennebunk Monday and welcomes Lake Region Wednesday of next week.

Boys’ lacrosse

Yarmouth’s boys’ lacrosse team opened with a 17-2 home win over York back on April 16, but got its first serious test last Tuesday when it went to two-time defending Class B champion Cape Elizabeth for a state game rematch. Matthew Beatty, Bill Jacobs and Joe Oliva scored, but that’s all the offense the Clippers could muster and despite a solid defensive effort, they fell, 6-3, their 13th straight loss to the Capers.

“We have a very good defense,” Yarmouth coach David Pearl said. “That’s a strong tradition we’ve had in Yarmouth. These guys work hard. We’re working on offense. We could have had a number of goals. We had opportunities, but their goalie made saves. It’s a game of inches.”

Friday, the Clippers improved to 2-1 with an 11-6 home win over Greely. Oliva led the way with five goals. Yarmouth was at Lake Region Wednesday, hosts Brunswick in a compelling crossover contest Saturday (see theforecaster.net for game story) and welcomes NYA Tuesday.

Speaking of NYA, the Panthers won their opener at Maranacook/Winthrop (5-3), but last week fell at home to Greely (11-4) and at Falmouth (7-3). Trevor Lachance scored twice in both setbacks. After hosting Waynflete Tuesday, NYA goes to Yarmouth next Tuesday.

Falmouth, which opened by beating visiting Freeport (22-2) and host Scarborough (11-10), fell at Kennebunk last Tuesday (14-13), then improved to 3-1 Friday with a 7-3 home victory over NYA. Henry Norris and Jack Scribner both scored twice against the Panthers. The Yachtsmen went to Fryeburg Academy Tuesday, host Cheverus Thursday (see theforecaster.net for game story) and play host to nemesis Cape Elizabeth Tuesday of next week.

Freeport started with a 22-2 loss at Falmouth, then beat visiting Fryeburg Academy (11-10, in three overtimes) and host Wells (12-8). Sam Wogan had four goals, including the winner in OT, against the Raiders. After hosting Kennebunk Tuesday, the Falcons visit Camden Hills Thursday and go to Waynflete Monday.

Greely was a 15-0 home winner over Lake Region in its opener back on April 17, then won at NYA (11-4) and lost at home to Yarmouth (11-6) last week. Tim Adams had four goals against the Panthers. In the loss, Mitch Mullin scored four times. The Rangers hosted York Tuesday, go to Thornton Academy for a crossover Saturday and play host to Kennebunk Tuesday of next week.

Girls’ lacrosse

Falmouth’s girls’ lacrosse team continues to impress in the early going, improving to 2-0 last week with a decisive 18-1 home win over Fryeburg Academy (the Yachtsmen had won the opener at Yarmouth, 14-9, back on April 16). Falmouth hosted Cape Elizabeth Wednesday, welcomes Thornton Academy Friday and has a showdown at Waynflete Wednesday of next week.

Yarmouth, which lost its opener at home to Falmouth, was upset at York Thursday, 8-6, before bouncing back to handle host Freeport Saturday, 16-3. Shannon Fallon and Emma Torres both had two goals in the loss to the Wildcats. Against the Falcons, goalie Mary Kate Gunville made 10 saves, including several key saves early, Fallon scored five first half goals and the Clippers earned a much-needed victory.

“It feels amazing,” Fallon said. “It’s been a little discouraging the past two games. Everyone’s adjusting, but we’ve really jelled. Our practices have been more upbeat and intense. This was really good for us.”

“It feels really good,” Gunville said. “We played hard and we lost to good teams, but we had to shake it off and move on to the next game.”

“We needed some confidence,” added Yarmouth coach Dorothy Holt. “I didn’t think the outcome would be what it was, but I think the girls flipped the switch today.”

The Clippers returned home Tuesday to host powerhouse Kennebunk (see theforecaster.net for game story) and go to Fryeburg Academy Tuesday of next week.

Freeport fell to 0-3 after losing to Yarmouth. The Falcons previously were beaten by York (11-4) and Cape Elizabeth (12-6).  Courtney Broderick and Chloe Davidson both had two goals against the Capers. Against the Clippers, Freeport was frustrated throughout.

“Lack of scoring doesn’t get the momentum going your way,” Falcons first-year coach Marcia Wood lamented. “Their goalie came up with good saves and that deflated us. We couldn’t figure out how to get around her. We could have played with them. It was just one of those days you can’t explain. We’ll flush it and move on.”

Freeport was at Lake Region Wednesday and goes to Wells next Wednesday.

NYA fell to 0-3 after losses last week at Greely (12-7) and Gould Academy (13-10). Mary Noyes scored three times versus the Rangers. The Panthers were home versus Greely Wednesday, welcome Mt. Ararat in a crossover game Saturday and visit Lake Region Wednesday of next week.

Greely beat visiting Gardiner (13-6) and NYA (12-7), then lost at home to Waynflete (10-7) and at Cape Elizabeth in the completion of a game from April 16 (6-5, in triple overtime). Meghan O’Donovan had four goals and Courtney Sullivan three against Gardiner. Sullivan scored four times and Maegan Dougherty added three in the win over the Panthers. Against the Flyers, O‘Donovan scored three times. The Rangers were at NYA Wednesday.

Outdoor track

The outdoor track regular season began last week.

Freeport and Greely joined Old Orchard Beach at Lake Region. The Rangers were first in both genders. The Falcons girls were third and the boys came in fourth.

In the boys’ meet, Greely got wins from Chris Perry in the 300 hurdles (45.88 seconds), Ryan Morrison in the two-mile (10 minutes, 3.81 seconds) and the 800 (2:06.41), Chris Byron in the 400 (56.99), Ben Ray in the pole vault (11 feet-6 inches), Paul Bischoff in the high jump (5-10), Malik Black in the long jump (18-0.25) and the triple jump (38-7.5) and its 400 (47.37) and 1,600 (4:13.36) relay teams. Freeport’s Chandler Vincent won the mile (4:44.67) and the 3,200 relay team was first in 10:01.73.

In the girls’ meet, Greely got first-place showings from Jocelyn Mitiguy in the 100 hurdles (18.87), Emily Mason in the mile (5:42.03) and two-mile (12:17.92), Siana Emery in the racewalk (8:29.49), Chloe Waldrep in the triple jump (29-10.5), Alyssa Coyne in the discus (111-0) and shot put (37-11.5), Lucy Wetzel in the pole vault (7-6), Samantha Pynchon in the high jump (4-10) and the 400 (55.27) and 1,600 (4:51.30) relays. Freeport’s Diamond Morris took the 300 hurdles (54.80). Maddie Squibb was first in the 400 (1:04.98).

Yarmouth joined Gray-New Gloucester and Waynflete at York and both Clippers teams were second to York. In the boys’ meet, Yarmouth got wins from Luke Laverdiere in the mile (4:37.40), Sam Gerken in the 800 (2:05.20) and its 3,200 relay (11:40.70). The girls got wins from Emma Egan in the 100 (13.54), 200 (27.84) and high jump (5-2), Anneka Murrin in the mile (5:13.30), Abigail Hamilton in the two-mile (12:06.0) and their 3,200 relay (11:11.40).  

Falmouth and NYA joined Fryeburg Academy and Kennebunk at Wells. The Yachtsmen won both the boys’ and girls’ meets. The Panthers boys came in fourth, while the girls were sixth.

In the boys’ meet, Falmouth got wins from Noah Martin in the 100 (11.67), Andy Clement in the 110 hurdles (16.76), Matt Polewaczyk in the 200 (23.54), Josh Simensky in the 800 (2:06.60), Bryce Murdick in the mile (4:39.79), Spencer Brown in the two-mile (10:13.38), Matt Edmonds in the discus (123-6.5) and its 400 (47.00) and 1,600 (3:45.71) relay teams.

On the girls’ side, Falmouth first-place finishers included Adelaide Cooke in the 100 hurdles (17.57), Emma England in the 200 (27.62), Meghan Charest in the racewalk (12:11.89), Mira Wyman in the 800 (2:31.75), Kiersten Dyhrberg in the shot put (29-6) and the 1,600 (4:30.03) and 3,200 (12:21.42) relays. NYA’s Linnea Hull won the pole vault (7-3). Muriel Adams was first in the discus (113-0.5).

Tennis

Falmouth’s girls’ tennis juggernaut stretched its record match win streak to 112 with 5-0 wins last week over Yarmouth, Kennebunk and Cape Elizabeth. The defending Class A champion Yachtsmen were home with Freeport Wednesday, visit Lake Region Friday and play host to defending Class B champion Greely Monday.

Falmouth’s defending Class A champion boys also started 3-0 thanks to wins over Yarmouth (5-0), Kennebunk (5-0) and defending Class B champion Cape Elizabeth (4-1). The Yachtsmen go to Freeport Wednesday, welcome Fryeburg Academy Monday and visit Greely Monday.

Freeport’s boys opened with a 4-1 home win over York, then fell at home to seven-time defending Class C champion Waynflete, 5-0. Monday, the Falcons lost, 4-1, to Fryeburg Academy. Freeport hosted Falmouth Wednesday, welcomes Greely Thursday and goes to Cape Elizabeth Tuesday.

The Freeport girls started with losses at York (5-0) and four-time defending Class C champion Waynflete (4-1). Monday, the Falcons were defeated by Fryeburg Academy, 4-1. Freeport was at Falmouth Wednesday, goes to Greely Thursday and welcomes Cape Elizabeth Tuesday.

Greely’s girls started with 4-1 wins at Fryeburg Academy and York, then improved to 3-0 Monday with a 4-1 victory over Cape Elizabeth. The Rangers were at Waynflete Wednesday, host Freeport Thursday and go to Falmouth Monday.

The Greely boys lost 3-2 decisions to visiting Kennebunk and Fryeburg Academy to start the season, then got in the win column, 4-1, over visiting York. Monday, the Rangers fell to 1-3 with a 5-0 loss at Cape Elizabeth. Greely was home with Waynflete Wednesday, visits Freeport Thursday, hosts Falmouth Monday and goes to Yarmouth Tuesday of next week.

NYA’s girls sandwiched home wins over Fryeburg Academy (3-2) and Lake Region (5-0) around a 3-2 loss at Cape Elizabeth last week. Monday, at York, the Panthers prevailed, 5-0. NYA hosts Waynflete Friday, goes to Yarmouth Monday and visits Kennebunk Tuesday.

NYA’s boys started with a 4-1 loss at Fryeburg Academy and a 5-0 home loss to Cape Elizabeth. Monday, the Panthers lost at home to York, 4-1. NYA goes to Waynflete Friday and hosts Yarmouth Monday and Kennebunk Tuesday.

Yarmouth’s boys started with a 5-0 loss to Falmouth. The Clippers then lost at home to Fryeburg Academy, 4-1. Monday, Yarmouth got in the win column, 4-1, over Kennebunk. The Clippers welcome York Friday, go to NYA Monday and host Greely Tuesday.

The Yarmouth girls lost, 5-0, to Falmouth to start, then beat Fryeburg Academy, 4-1. Monday, the Clippers improved to 2-1 with a 5-0 win over Kennebunk. Yarmouth was home against Lake Region Wednesday, visits York Friday, hosts NYA Monday and goes to Greely Tuesday. 

The Western Maine Conference doubles championships are Saturday.

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