(Ed. Note: For the Falmouth-Cape Elizabeth and Greely-Waynflete girls’ lacrosse game stories, please visit, theforecaster.net)

The first full week of spring sports action was memorable for many reasons. Here’s why:

Baseball

While Greely’s defending Class B state champion baseball team was battling Cape Elizabeth in a playoff rematch Monday (please see story), Yarmouth continued its undefeated run.

The Clippers opened with a 10-0 (five inning) home victory over Fryeburg back on April 15 before downing Lake Region, 9-1, Monday. They also defeated Wells (6-1, in five innings) and Freeport (7-0) last week, before improving to 5-0 Monday with a 16-2 (five inning) home victory over Poland.

Junior Campbell Belisle-Haley struck out 13 batters against the Warriors and junior Aidan Sullivan clubbed a grand slam. In the win over the Falcons, Sullivan pitched six shutout innings, while seniors Travis Merrill and Nick Whittaker and junior Nick Proscia all went deep.

Monday, Whittaker earned his third win, while Merrill and junior Luke Pierce clubbed home runs. The Clippers were at Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday, travel to Poland Saturday and play at York Tuesday of next week.

Falmouth is now 3-1 and riding a three-game win streak after recent victories at Freeport (11-2, in five innings) and over visiting Gray-New Gloucester (10-1).

Against the Falcons, senior Mitch Beaulieu earned the win and junior Brett Emmertz had three RBI. In the win over the Patriots, Beaulieu had a complete game victory and senior Ben Burnes homered. The Yachtsmen were back in action Wednesday at home versus Greely, go to Lake Region Friday and host Poland Monday.

Freeport, which split its first two games (a 10-5 loss to York and a 3-2 win over Gray-New Gloucester), fell to 1-4 after losses to Falmouth, Yarmouth and Fryeburg (9-4). Junior Spencer Egan had a pair of hits against the Raiders.

The Falcons go to Greely Thursday and host Lake Region Monday.

In Class C, North Yarmouth Academy is 2-0 and has been pounding the ball in the early going. After opening with a 15-3 (five inning) romp at Sacopee, the Panthers went to Waynflete Friday and enjoyed a 13-2 (six inning) triumph behind junior Harry Fast’s three hits and four RBI and senior Toey LeBlanc’s home run and three runs driven in.

Senior Dean Darien earned the victory, fanning 10. NYA was at Old Orchard Beach Wednesday and hosts Sacopee in a doubleheader Saturday. Next Monday, the Panthers visit Gray-New Gloucester.

Softball

The Greely softball team has bashed its way to a 4-0 start. The Rangers opened with wins over host Lake Region (18-6, in six innings) and visiting Poland (14-2, in six innings). Thursday, Greely went to Old Orchard Beach and decimated the Seagulls, 27-0, in five innings. The Rangers scored eight times in the first inning, five in the second, eight more in the third and six in the fifth.

Greely got four hits and three RBI from freshman Danielle Cimino, who combined with senior Mary Zambello to blank Old Orchard Beach on four hits. Senior Marika Stayte scored five runs, while junior Michaela Finnegan and senior Bryce McEwen both touched home plate on four occasions.

Monday, the Rangers beat host Cape Elizabeth for the first time since May 18, 2006, 14-6. A nine-run fourth inning blew the game open. Stayte had three hits and five RBI, while McEwen cracked three hits and drove in four.

Greely was at Falmouth Wednesday, hosts Freeport Thursday and goes to two-time defending state champion Fryeburg Monday.

Yarmouth is now 3-2. After opening with a 7-2 home loss to Fryeburg and a 5-0 win over visiting Lake Region, the Clippers lost 5-4 at Wells, then won 9-2 at Freeport and 9-1 over visiting Poland.

In the win over the Falcons, junior Julie Dursema had three hits, including two doubles, and drove in five runs. Junior Lauren Wrobleski added three hits and scored three times and freshman McKenzie Gray hurled six scoreless innings.

Against the Knights, Gray struck out nine in five perfect innings and senior Abbey Ridge tripled twice. Yarmouth was at Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday, plays host to Old Orchard Beach Friday and visits York Tuesday of next week.

Falmouth is 2-2. The Yachtsmen opened with a 13-8 win at Cape Elizabeth, lost 5-3 to visiting Wells, then defeated host Freeport (16-4, in five innings) before losing to visiting Gray-New Gloucester (6-2).

Against the Falcons, senior Katie McCarthy had three extra base hits and drove in three runs. Senior Lauren Boucher, junior Kelsey Freedman (the winning pitcher) and freshman Maddie Inlow also had three hits apiece.

In the loss to the Patriots, sophomore Allison Carver sparked the offense with a double. Falmouth hosts Greely Thursday, plays at Lake Region Friday and is home versus Poland Monday.

Freeport began the year with losses at York (4-1) and at home to Gray-New Gloucester (12-1), then lost to Falmouth and Yarmouth. Against the Yachtsmen, senior Stephanie Pottle had a pair of hits.

In the loss to the Clippers, junior Jess Kane had three hits. Monday, the Falcons dropped to 0-5 after a 12-2 loss at Fryeburg. Kane had a two-run double to account for the runs. Freeport was home with Sacopee Wednesday, goes to Greely Thursday and is home against Lake Region Monday.

Boys’ lacrosse

The high-powered Falmouth and Yarmouth boys’ lacrosse teams (please see story) weren’t the only local squads to garner attention in recent days.

Freeport, which lost a close 10-7 home decision to perennial power Cape Elizabeth in its opener (despite 20 saves from sophomore goalie Alex Sturtevant), got in the win column Thursday with a 10-2 romp at Fryeburg.

The Falcons are home against Lake Region Thursday and welcome Edward Little Saturday. Tuesday, Freeport hopes to avenge its playoff loss from last season, when it goes to North Yarmouth Academy.

Speaking of NYA, the Panthers are 1-2 after sandwiching road losses to Yarmouth (11-4) and Cape Elizabeth (12-2) between a 10-7 victory at Greely. In that one, junior Tim Millett and sophomore Forrest Milburn both scored three times, while junior Finn Hadlock added a pair.

The road gets no easier for NYA (10th in the latest coaches’ poll). It hosted Falmouth Wednesday, has a home game with Oak Hill Saturday, then welcomes Freeport Tuesday.

After losing to NYA last week (in a game which saw Max Freeman and Teddy Russell score twice and sophomore Griffin Demick make 10 saves), Greely’s game at Lake Region Friday was postponed.

Monday, the Rangers improved to 2-1 with a 16-12 come-from-behind home victory over Waynflete. Greely was down 6-2, but rallied behind six goals and two assists from junior Austin Spencer and six goals from senior Teddy Russell. Sophomore Paul Witte added a goal and five assists and freshman Sven Jacobsen played a solid defensive game.

“The team showed a lot of heart coming back,” said Rangers coach Casey Abbott. “We didn’t possess on offense as much as would have liked, but we did transition really well. We held our composure and started to believe in ourselves. I’m optimistic we’re pulling it together.”

Greely welcomes Lincoln Academy Thursday and plays at Cape Elizabeth Tuesday.

Girls’ lacrosse

While much of the girls’ lacrosse attention is paid to NYA and Yarmouth (please see story), Falmouth continues to suggest that it will be a top contender in 2010.

The Yachtsmen took a 3-0 record (the first time the program has ever started so successfully) into Tuesday’s showdown at NYA after impressive wins last week at Wells (17-7), at home over Cape Elizabeth (11-8, in overtime) and at Fryeburg (24-3).

Against the Warriors, freshman Alex Bernier scored five times. Against the Raiders, Falmouth actually trailed 2-0, but went on to the easy win behind five goals from junior Laura Fay, four from senior Emma Sipperly and three from sophomore Megan Fortier. Bernier added four assists.

The win over the Capers wasn’t as easy, although it looked like it might be when the Yachtsmen raced to a 5-0 lead. Cape Elizabeth drew within 6-2 at halftime, then erupted for five straight goals in the second half to put Falmouth on the ropes.

A Fay free position goal ended a 22 minute, 22 second scoring drought and tied the score, but the Capers went up again, 8-7. This time, Fortier (from Bernier) scored with 1:23 to go, forcing overtime. There, Falmouth got goals from junior Jess DiPhillippo, Fay and Fortier to slam the door.

“I think after our little talk (prior to overtime), we were more motivated to get it done, like we should have earlier in the game,” said Fay, who finished with four goals. “I think we just got a little too comfortable (after going up 5-0). This is definitely a confidence booster.”

“We struggled in the second half and they capitalized on opportunities,” added Yachtsmen coach Robin Haley. “In overtime, we played similar to how we played in the first half. We got the draws. That was the difference.”

After playing at NYA, Falmouth hosts Massabesic Saturday and Greely Monday.

Freeport is still seeking its first win. The Falcons lost 11-4 at home to NYA in their first game, then dropped decisions to host York (9-8), visiting Wells (11-6) and host Waynflete (17-6). Sophomore Jess Hench scored four times versus the Wildcats and had a pair against the Warriors. In the loss to the two-time defending Class B state champion Flyers, senior Shelby Colvin and Hench both scored twice. Freeport hosts Fryeburg Thursday and goes to Camden Saturday.

Greely is also winless to date. The Rangers had the daunting task of starting at Waynflete where they fell behind 11-0 in the first half en route to a 14-3 setback. Greely got two goals and an assist from senior Melanie Howland. Senior goalie Hannah Dexter made seven saves. Junior Kelly Burrell had a game high eight ground balls.

“The second half was better,” longtime Rangers coach Peter Wiles said. “We learned quite a lot from Waynflete. It’s nice to see some good lacrosse demonstrated for us so we can emulate it. That’s how we approached it in the second half. We have some good leaders. Morale is good on the team. We have a good spirit. We’ll improve.”

Greely improved big-time its next time out, at home against Yarmouth Friday. The Rangers led the explosive Clippers at halftime before Yarmouth rallied for an 11-7 victory. Burrell scored four times in defeat. Greely hosted York Tuesday, welcomes NYA Thursday and goes to Falmouth Monday.

Track

Outdoor track began its season last weekend. Falmouth and Freeport competed at Sacopee, joining York.

In the boys’ meet, the Yachtsmen (who won 10 events) had 106 points to edge the Wildcats for second. The Falcons came in fourth.

The girls’ meet was won by York, with Falmouth (which won five events) second and Freeport fourth.

Greely and NYA joined Waynflete at Traip last weekend. The Rangers won the girls’ meet and came in second in the boys’. The Panthers placed second on the girls’ side and were third in the boys’ meet. Yarmouth (along with Lake Region, Poland and Seacoast Christian) competed at Wells.

The Clippers were fourth in the boys’ meet and fifth on the girls’ side. All local schools took part in a joint Western Maine Conference-Southern Maine Activities Association meet Tuesday and return to league action this week.

Tennis

Falmouth’s tennis teams are dominant once again. The boys’ squad is 3-0 after 5-0 wins over Freeport, Fryeburg and Greely. The girls’ juggernaut is 2-0, having defeated Freeport and Old Orchard Beach by 5-0 margins.

Freeport’s boys bounced back from their loss to Falmouth with a 5-0 win at Lake Region. The Falcons fell to 1-2 Monday after losing to Cape Elizabeth, 5-0. The Freeport girls are 0-2, having fallen to Falmouth (5-0) and Cape Elizabeth (4-1).

Greely’s boys opened with a 4-1 win over NYA, then lost 5-0 to York and Falmouth. The Greely girls are 2-1 after Monday’s 4-1 win over Old Orchard Beach.

NYA’s defending Class C state champion girls’ team is 1-0 after a 5-0 win over Fryeburg. The Panthers boys’ squad lost 4-1 to Greely, 5-0 to Fryeburg and 4-1 to Yarmouth in early action.

Speaking of the Clippers, the defending Class B state champion boys’ squad started with losses to York (4-1) and defending C champion Waynflete (5-0) before beating NYA to improve to 1-2. The Yarmouth girls won 3-2 at York in their first match, then lost 4-1 at home to Waynflete.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net

Yarmouth freshman McKenzie Gray prepares to fire a strike during the Clippers’ 9-2 victory at Freeport Saturday afternoon. Gray earned her first varsity victory and also ripped a pair of hits.

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Yarmouth senior Rachel Moser is tagged out at second by Freeport senior Kayla Bibeau during Saturday’s contest.