Freeport’s Shaina Curry wins the high jump at last week’s home meet. The Falcons came in first as a team.

Yarmouth’s Gavin Hamm goes airborne to shoot over Falmouth defenseman Sam Gearan during the Clippers’ 1o-4 victory last Friday.

Greely’s boys’ lacrosse team celebrates Saturday’s 11-8 home win over Brunswick in a rematch of last year’s Class B state final.

The spring sports regular season is slipping away and while many challenges remain, local teams are looking good as they vie for optimal postseason positioning.

Here’s a look back at the week that was and a glimpse at what’s to come:

Baseball

Greely’s baseball team sandwiched home wins over Poland (10-0, in six-innings) and Yarmouth (6-5) around a 6-4 (eight-inning) home loss to Class A North power Oxford Hills in recent action. In the victory over the Knights, Jacob Whiting threw five scoreless innings, Brady Nolin, singled, doubled and drove in two runs and Will Lyden hit a two-run double. In the loss, Nolin had two hits and Whiting drove in the tying run in the bottom of the seventh, but the Rangers fell in extras. Against the Clippers, Ricky Walker hit a pinch-hit single and Jake MacDonald hit a sacrifice fly to cap a comeback. Will Neleski had two hits. Greely (6-2 and fifth in the Class B South Heal Points standings) goes to Sacopee Valley Wednesday, visits Lincoln Academy Friday and welcomes Wells in a regional final rematch Monday.

Freeport’s win streak hit five after sweeping visiting Cape Elizabeth in a doubleheader (winning five-inning games by scores of 10-1 and 6-2), downing host Old Orchard Beach (9-1), beating visiting Lincoln Academy (10-0, in five-innings) and Monday winning at Poland, 6-1, to improve to 8-2 and fourth in Class B South. In the first victory over the Capers, Shea Wagner earned the win and drove in two runs, Liam Holt hit two doubles and Heath Cockburn drove in a pair of runs. In the second game, Holt earned the victory, fanning five, and Gabe Wagner had two hits. Against the Seagulls, Anthony Panciocco earned his first win, Liam Holt had three hits and two RBI and Toby Holt and Gabe Wagner had two hits apiece. In the win over the Eagles, Toby Holt had three hits, which Panciocco and Shea Wagner both finished with two. Against the Knights, Panciocco earned the win, while Cockburn and Toby Holt both had two hits. The Falcons go to Yarmouth Wednesday, visit Morse Friday and host Poland Monday.

Yarmouth enjoyed a pair of wins last week, 7-1 over visiting Wells and 9-2 at Cape Elizabeth, then fell to 3-5 and 11th in Class B South after losses at Poland (3-1) and Greely (6-5). Against the Warriors, Jason Lainey earned the win, while Aaron Belesca, Will Cox, John Jordan and Jack Romano all had multiple hits. Romano hit a grand slam and Toby Burgmaier earned the victory in the win over the Capers. In the loss to the Knights, Romano had a single and double and Romano had two hits against the Rangers as well. The Clippers welcome Freeport Wednesday, visit Gray-New Gloucester Friday and host Cape Elizabeth Monday.

In Class A South, Falmouth was 3-3 and 13th at press time following a 2-0 loss at South Portland and victories over host Massabesic (10-0, in six-innings), visiting Deering (2-1) and host Marshwood (7-3). Ike Kiely had two hits in the setback. Against the Mustangs, Garrett Tracy earned the win, Sam Kidder singled and homered and Sam Manganello drove in a pair of runs.

“Offensively, we came out and hit the ball really well today,” said Falmouth coach Kevin Winship. “We broke out today, it was really nice to see.”

In the win over the Rams, Bennett Smith earned the victory and Connor Coffin drove in Brady Coyne with the winning run. Against the Hawks, Tracy earned the win and Coffin drove in a pair of runs. The Yachtsmen welcome Gorham Thursday, host Scarborough Friday, go to Westbrook Saturday and play at Biddeford Monday and Cheverus Tuesday of next week.

In Class C South, the Waynflete/North Yarmouth Academy co-op team was 2-5 and ninth in the Heals after losses at Sacopee Valley (6-3) and St. Dom’s (1-0 and 10-6 in a doubleheader). After hosting Old Orchard Beach Tuesday, Waynflete/NYA welcomes Buckfield Wednesday, goes to Richmond Friday and visits Old Orchard Beach Monday.

Softball

The Cheverus/North Yarmouth Academy co-op softball team was 6-4 and seventh in the Class A South Heals at press time after wins at Bonny Eagle (15-2), Falmouth (12-2) and Kennebunk (11-9) and a 10-2 setback at two-time defending Class A champion Scarborough last week. In the win over the Yachtsmen, NYA’s Sydney Plummer hit a home run. The Stags host Gorham Wednesday, visit Massabesic Friday and welcome Marshwood Monday of next week.

Falmouth dropped to 0-10 and 17th in Class A South after recent losses to host Windham (15-2, in five-innings), visiting Cheverus (12-2), visiting Biddeford (7-6) and host Bonny Eagle (17-1, in five-innings). Natalie Fortier doubled and had an RBI in the loss to the Eagles. Against the Stags, Olivia Rogers singled, doubled, scored a run and had an RBI and Liberty Ladd added two hits. In the loss to the Tigers, Ladd homered, doubled twice and had three RBI. Rogers had an RBI double against the Scots. The Yachtsmen go to Deering Wednesday, visit two-time defending Class A champion Scarborough Thursday, play at Kennebunk Friday and welcome Gorham Monday.

In Class B South, Yarmouth was 4-4 and 12th after sandwiching losses at Poland (1-0) and Cape Elizabeth (10-3) around a 7-1 home win over Wells. Tasha Powers had two hits in the loss to the Capers. Monday, Yarmouth won at Greely, 27-3. The Clippers welcome Freeport Wednesday, visit Gray-New Gloucester Friday and host Cape Elizabeth Monday.

Freeport fell to 4-6 and 11th in the Heals after losing both ends of a five-inning doubleheader to visiting Cape Elizabeth (12-4 and 14-2), beating host Old Orchard Beach (20-4, in five-innings) and losing at Poland (17-5, in five-innings) and at home to Lincoln Academy (14-8). Sarah Gray had a pair of hits in the loss to the Knights. The Falcons go to Yarmouth Wednesday, visit Morse Friday and play host to Poland Monday.

Defending regional champion Greely fell to 1-9 and 13th after a 17-10 home loss to Fryeburg Academy, a 3-2 home win over Poland, a 13-0, six-inning home loss to Oxford Hills and a 27-3 home loss to Yarmouth. Against the Raiders, Sawyer Dusch hit two home runs, Annie Smith added one and Dusch, Smith, Lindsay Eisenhart and Audrey Boyle all had three hits. In the victory, Smith had the game-winning RBI and Boyle earned the win. The Rangers go to Sacopee Valley Wednesday, visit Lincoln Academy Friday and welcome Wells in a regional final rematch Monday.

Boys’ lacrosse

Greely’s boys’ lacrosse team dropped a hard-fought 9-7 “home” game against Cape Elizabeth last Tuesday, in a contest played on the turf at Falmouth High, then improved to 6-2 Saturday with an 11-8 home win over Brunswick in a rematch of last year’s Class B state final. In the loss, Ethan Fraser scored five times. In the victory, where the Rangers earned a measure of revenge from last year’s agonizing playoff loss, Jackson Williams won 16 of 18 faceoffs, scored twice and added three assists, while Andrew Lawrence had three goals and Fraser and Schuyler Wetmore each had a pair.

“This is huge,” said Williams. “We’ve thought about this game since last year. We haven’t been that consistent recently, so it’s really good to get this one.”

“This was a challenge for us on our home field,” Greely coach Mike Storey said. “It’s a good win for us.”

The Rangers (second in the Class B Heals) return to action Tuesday of next week when Freeport pays a visit.

Yarmouth improved to 5-2 and first in Class B after a 14-11 home win over York and a 10-4 victory at Falmouth. Anders Corey had six goals and Gavin Hamm finished with four in the victory over the Wildcats. The Clippers then beat the Yachtsmen for the first time since 2015, as Corey led the way with five goals and Griffin Primeau won 12 of 18 faceoffs.

“We’ve either been a first quarter team, or a first half team, and we couldn’t play a complete game, but tonight we did,” said Primeau.

“It’s a big win,” Corey said. “This shows we’re a real contender.”

“We hadn’t finished and that can eat away at your confidence, but credit to our guys, they kept digging in,” added Yarmouth coach David Pearl.

The Clippers welcome Scarborough Thursday.

In Class A North, Falmouth took a three-game losing streak and a 5-3 record into Tuesday’s home game versus Deering. Last week, the Yachtsmen lost, 13-9, at South Portland and 10-4 at home to Yarmouth. Jonah Eng and Reilly Tucker both scored three goals in the loss to the Red Riots. Against the Clippers, Peter Alexander and Wyatt Kerr each scored twice.

“We just couldn’t possess and we had too many turnovers,” Yachtsmen coach David Barton lamented. “You can’t win with that many turnovers.”

Falmouth (first in the Heals) has a showdown at defending Class B champion Brunswick Friday (see theforecaster.net for game story).

In Class C, North Yarmouth Academy lost, 18-12, at defending state champion Waynflete, then improved to 4-3 after a 16-7 win at Mt. Ararat. Ryan Baker and Mason Parks both had four goals in the setback. The Panthers (second in the Heals) host Messalonskee Thursday and play at York Wednesday of next week.

Freeport took a 5-2 mark and the No. 6 ranking into Tuesday’s showdown at Waynflete. Last week, the Falcons defeated visiting Wells (10-9, in overtime) and Camden Hills (12-8). Steel Crawford had five goals in the win over the Warriors, while Leap Ngoal had two goals (including the winner in OT) and three assists. Sam Larochelle had four goals and six assists, while Evan Owen contributed three goals against the Windjammers. Freeport is at Greely Tuesday of next week.

Girls’ lacrosse

Yarmouth’s girls’ lacrosse team was 4-1 and first in Class B at press time after a 14-11 home win over Cape Elizabeth in a state final rematch and a 13-2 victory at NYA last week. Against the Capers, as the Clippers earned a measure of revenge for last year’s state game setback, Annie Lowenstein had four goals and Natalie Teare and Abi Thornton added three apiece. In the win over the Panthers, Lowensteain and Thornton both scored three times, as Yarmouth opened up a 12-2 halftime lead and didn’t look back.

“We’ve played some really strong teams and that’s made us stronger,” said Thornton. “Each week, I see improvement in us.”

“The girls are working really hard,” said Clippers coach Dorothy Holt. “Our motto is to take it game by game.”

Yarmouth was home with St. Dom’s Tuesday, goes to Marshwood Friday, visits defending Class C champion Lake Region Saturday and travels to York Wednesday of next week.

Greely improved to 5-2 and second in Class B after recent wins at York (14-6) and at home over Lake Region (13-7). Megan Beaulieu, Katie Bennert, Elsa Dean-Muncie and Jayme Morrison all had three goals in the win over the Wildcats. Against the Lakers, Sam Goldburg led the way with four goals. The Rangers host Freeport Wednesday (see theforecaster.net for game story), go to Scarborough Friday and visit St. Dom’s Wednesday of next week.

Defending Class A champion Falmouth bounced back from its first loss with wins last week at Waynflete (10-2) and at home over Scarborough (14-3) and Lewiston (10-0). Caitlyn Camelio had four goals and Eva Clement added two against the Flyers. In the win over the Red Storm, Camelio scored four times and Kayla Sarazin added two goals and three assists. Against the Blue Devils, Camelio had three goals and Clement and Sarazin each added a pair. The Yachtsmen were scheduled to play at Cheverus Tuesday, but that game was postponed by rain.

In Class C, Freeport improved to 6-1, making it five straight victories after wins last week at Boothbay in a makeup game (19-9), at home over NYA (13-8) and at Oceanside (15-2). Meredith Fuller, Margaret Perrotta and Molly Whelan all had three goals and Piper Sherbert made 11 saves against the Seahawks. In the win over the Panthers, Perrotta led the way with five goals. Against Oceanside, Fuller had three goals, while Whelan, Allison Greuel and Paige Rinaldi all added two. After going to Greely Wednesday, the Falcons (third in the Heals) host Gorham Friday and play at St. Dom’s Monday.

NYA had its four-game win streak snapped with a 13-8 loss at Freeport, then fell to 4-3 and fourth in Class C with a 13-2 home loss to Yarmouth Saturday. Maggie Holt, Catherine Reid and Emma Sharp all scored twice against the Falcons. In the loss to the Clippers, Holt scored early against the team her mother, Dorothy Holt, coaches, and Reid also found the net, but the Panthers didn’t have the firepower to keep up.

“We held our own,” NYA coach Molly Climo said. “I think we played with them. I was impressed with our girls. Everyone came out and was hungry.”

The Panthers host York Wednesday, go to Deering Friday and welcome Cape Elizabeth Tuesday of next week.

Outdoor track

Local outdoor track teams have seen plenty of action over the past week.

Last Monday, Falmouth took part in a four-team meet at Portland. The Yachtsmen boys and girls were each second to Thornton Academy.

Yarmouth’s boys and Freeport’s girls were first in a six-team meet Wells. The Clippers girls were runners-up and the Falcons boys placed third.

Last Tuesday, Greely and NYA joined Fryeburg Academy and York at Sacopee Valley. The Rangers boys and girls were each second to York, while the Panthers boys and girls both finished fourth.

Friday, Freeport hosted NYA, Cape Elizabeth, Old Orchard Beach and Traip Academy. The Falcons girls were first with the Clippers placing fourth. Yarmouth’s boys were first and Freeport came in third.

Monday, Greely joined Lake Region, Old Orchard Beach, St. Dom’s and Wells at Poland. The Rangers boys and girls were each second to the Knights.

Tennis

Falmouth’s 11-time defending state champion girls’ tennis team improved to 7-0 Monday with a 4-1 win at Gorham, the Yachtsmen’s 180th consecutive match victory. A key test looms Monday when Falmouth (ranked second in the Class A South Heal Points standings) hosts undefeated Cheverus.

Falmouth’s boys improved to 8-0 and first in Class A South following recent wins at Windham (4-1) and Portland (5-0) and a 3-2 home victory over Gorham. The Yachtsmen close the regular season at Cheverus Monday.

The defending Class B South champion Freeport boys improved to 7-1 and first in Class B South after 3-2 wins last week at Yarmouth and at home over 11-time defending Class C champion Waynflete and a 4-1 victory at Cape Elizabeth Monday. The Falcons host Cape Elizabeth Wednesday and go to Greely Thursday.

Freeport’s girls improved to 3-5 Monday after a 3-2 home win over St. Dom’s. The Falcons (eighth in the Heals) go to powerhouse Greely Friday.

Greely’s girls suffered their first loss last week, 4-1, at York, then defeated Freeport (5-0) and Cape Elizabeth (3-2), in a playoff rematch. Monday, the Rangers improved to 7-1 after a 4-1 win at Waynflete and were third in Class B South at press time.

Greely’s boys beat visiting York (5-0) and host Cape Elizabeth (4-1) and St. Dom’s (5-0) last week. Monday, the Rangers fell, 3-2, at home to Waynflete to fall to 6-3 and fifth in Class B South. Greely is home against Freeport Thursday and hosts Yarmouth Monday.

Yarmouth’s boys suffered their first loss last Monday, 3-2, to visiting Freeport, then improved to 6-1 by downing visiting NYA (5-0) and St. Dom’s (5-0). The Clippers (third in the region) host Cape Elizabeth Friday, go to Greely Monday, then close the regular season at Waynflete Tuesday of next week.

The Yarmouth girls were 3-4 and ninth in Class B South after a pair of 5-0 wins over Lake Region and Monday’s 3-2 loss to NYA. The Clippers are at Cape Elizabeth Friday.

In Class C South, the NYA boys were 5-4 and fifth in the Heals after losses at home to Yarmouth (5-0) and Waynflete (3-2) and a 5-0 win at York. The Panthers close the regular season Tuesday of next week at Freeport.

The NYA girls were fourth in the Heals at 6-2 following recent wins at Lake Region (5-0) and Yarmouth (4-1). The Panthers host Greely Wednesday and go to Cape Elizabeth Thursday.

Journal Tribune staff writer Sienna Barstow contributed to this story.

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

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