Scarborough ace Nick Thompson throws a strike during last week’s 4-0 win at Cheverus.

Cape Elizabeth pitcher Anna Cornell delivers a strike during the Capers’ 3-0 home loss to York Monday.

Cape Elizabeth’s Darcy Cochran wins the girls’ 100 hurdles at last week’s meet at Freeport. The Capers came in second as a team.

(Ed. Note: For the complete Scarborough-Cheverus baseball and Cape Elizabeth-York softball game stories, with photos, see theforecaster.net)

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

South Portland and Scarborough’s baseball teams were setting the pace in Class A South at press time.

The Red Riots improved to 9-0 and first in the Heal Points standings after recent victories at home over Falmouth (2-0), at Gorham (9-4), at home over Thornton Academy (11-1, in six-innings), at home over Portland (6-5, in an 11-inning marathon) and at Kennebunk (7-1). Hunter Owen was dazzling against the Yachtsmen, throwing a two-hit shutout with 16 strikeouts. In the win over Gorham, Noah Lewis singled, tripled and drove in three runs, Owen, Dillon Ray-Bolduc and Anthony Poole all had two hits and Gus Lappin earned the victory. Against the Golden Trojans, Lewis (who earned the win) and Owen both had two hits and drove in three runs and Caden Horton had two hits and two RBI. In the win over the Bulldogs, Caleb Viola had the game-winning hit, while Owen and Bradley McMains combined to hold Portland to two hits. Against Kennebunk, Owen hit a three-run home run and Lappin earned the victory in relief. South Portland was home with Bonny Eagle Wednesday, visits Scarborough Friday, plays at Deering Saturday, hosts Marshwood Tuesday and welcomes Cheverus Thursday of next week. 

Scarborough was 7-1 and second to South Portland in Class A South at press time following a 7-3 home loss to Deering and wins at home over Sanford (15-0, in five-innings), at Cheverus (4-0) and at home over Biddeford (2-0). Against the Spartans, Nolan Lamontagne had three hits and four RBI. Ryan Gambardella earned the victory and Nic Frink and Joe Townsend each added a pair of hits. In the win over the Stags, Nick Thompson threw a two-hit shutout with nine strikeouts.

“I felt great,” Thompson said. “I came into the game knowing I could use my curveball effectively and it opened up a whole option of pitches. I know my team will score runs and once they did, I just had to make it stand up.”

“We beat a pretty good team,” Red Storm coach Mike D’Andrea said. “We try to keep pressure on and get creative here and there, but at the end of the day, we put the ball in play. We stole a couple (runs) late.”

Against the Tigers, Lamontagne and Peter O’Brien had RBI hits and Jack Clark earned the win in relief. Scarborough was at Marshwood Thursday, goes to Falmouth Friday, visits Thornton Academy Saturday, hosts South Portland Monday, welcomes Westbrook Tuesday and plays host to Kennebunk Thursday of next week.

In Class B South, Cape Elizabeth fell to 0-8 and 16th following two losses in a five-inning doubleheader at Freeport (10-1 and 6-2) and home setbacks to Yarmouth (9-2) and York (6-1). Cole Hoffman singled and doubled against the Clippers. The Capers sought their first win Wednesday at Poland and visited defending regional champion Wells Thursday. Cape Elizabeth is home with Wells Friday, goes to Yarmouth Monday and welcomes St. Dom’s Wednesday of next week.

Softball

Scarborough’s two-time defending Class A state champion softball team was on the brink of a breathtaking milestone at press time. The Red Storm improved to 10-0 and second to Thornton Academy in the Class A South Heals after beating host Sanford (17-4), visiting Portland (11-5), visiting Cheverus (10-2) and visiting South Portland (3-1) in recent action. Against the Bulldogs, in a playoff rematch, Caitlin Noiles pitched a six-hitter with 11 strikeouts and had three hits and two RBI. Sylvia Foley added two hits, two RBI and two runs scored. In the win over the Red Riots, Bella Dickinson threw a complete game three-hitter with 11 strikeouts. Thursday, Scarborough hosted Falmouth and if it prevailed, its regular season win streak, which dates to 2013, would reach an unthinkable 100. The Red Storm play host to Westbrook Friday, have a pivotal showdown at Thornton Academy Monday (see theforecaster.net for game story) and host Biddeford Wednesday of next week.

South Portland was 4-4 and 12th in Class A South following an 8-1 home win over Marshwood and losses at Portland (4-3) and Scarborough (3-1). Elise Connor tripled, homered and drove in seven runs in the victory, while Chloe Grant added three hits. Connor had two hits in the loss to the Bulldogs, then drove in the lone run in the loss to the Red Storm. The Red Riots hosted Sanford Wednesday and Bonny Eagle Thursday, welcome Thornton Academy Friday, visit Massabesic Saturday, then host Deering Tuesday of next week and welcome Windham the following day.

Cape Elizabeth was 6-2 and fourth in Class B South following a five-inning doubleheader sweep at Freeport (12-4) and (14-2), a 10-3 home win over Yarmouth and Monday’s 3-0 home loss to York. Anna Cornell threw a one-hitter with 12 strikeouts and drove in four runs in the first win over the Falcons. 

“I haven’t pitched in a bi, and today I was able to hit the corners,” said Cornell.

In the second contest, Cornell had three more hits and three RBI and Jessie Robicheaw earned the victory and had three hits. In the win over the Clippers, Cornell fanned 11, Clara Parker had three hits and Julia Torre drove in three runs. The Capers had their opportunities against York ace Abby Orso, but stranded eight runners. Cornell was the hard-luck loser, allowing just one earned run.

“I’m not making excuses, but it’s hard to hit on a cold day,” Cape Elizabeth coach Joe Henrikson said. “The kids didn’t quit. They fought hard. York’s a good team. We at least put the bat on the ball.”

The Capers were at Poland Wednesday and visited Wells Thursday. After hosting Wells Friday, Cape Elizabeth goes to Yarmouth Monday and welcomes St. Dom’s Wednesday of next week. 

Boys’ lacrosse

Cape Elizabeth’s boys’ lacrosse team remained undefeated at press time, improving to 8-0 and first in the Class A South Heals after downing Greely, 9-7, in a game played at Falmouth’s turf field, and dominating visiting York, 19-3, Tuesday. Against the Rangers, Sam Dresser had three goals and Archie McEvoy added a pair. In the win over the Wildcats, Nick Martin scored five times. The Capers have two huge road games upcoming, Saturday at South Portland (see theforecaster.net for game story) and Thursday of next week at Yarmouth.

South Portland was 4-1 and fourth in Class A South following a 13-9 home win over defending Class A North champion Falmouth and an 11-10 overtime loss at Kennebunk. Alex Stevens had four goals and Cooper Mehlhorn added three in the victory In the setback, Mehlhorn and David Fiorini each scored four times. The Red Riots went to Sanford Wednesday, host Cape Elizabeth Saturday, play at reigning Class B champion Brunswick Monday, then go to defending Class A champion Thornton Academy Wednesday of next week.

Scarborough fell to 2-6 and seventh in Class A South after a 13-4 loss at Thornton Academy and a 10-9 home loss to Gorham. Andrew Granzier and Nathan Taggart both scored three times against the Rams. The Red Storm hoped to snap a four-game skid Thursday at Yarmouth. Scarborough is home versus Kennebunk Wednesday of next week.

Girls’ lacrosse

The defending state champion Cape Elizabeth girls’ lacrosse team was 4-2 and fourth in the Class B Heals following a 14-11 loss at Yarmouth in a state final rematch and a 12-8 victory at Thornton Academy last week. Tori McGrath had six goals in the loss. Against the Golden Trojans, Karli Chapin scored four times, while McGrath and Brooke Harvey each had three goals. The Capers hosted Waynflete Thursday (see theforecaster.net for game story), welcome defending Class A South champion Massabesic Monday and go to North Yarmouth Academy Tuesday of next week.

In Class A South, South Portland was 3-3 and sixth in the Heals after a 15-7 loss at Massabesic and a 16-7 home win over Bonny Eagle. Jena Leckie scored four times against the Mustangs. In the victory, Leckie had seven goals, while Molly Walker added five. The Red Riots host St. Dom’s Saturday, go to Kennebunk Tuesday and welcome Thornton Academy Thursday of next week.

Scarborough fell to 0-5 and 10th in Class A South after losses at defending Class A champion Falmouth (14-3) and to visiting Massabesic (12-4). Erin Stolz had two goals and Kathleen Murphy made 12 saves in the loss to the Mustangs. The Red Storm went to Marshwood for a makeup game Thursday, host Greely Friday, welcome Gorham Monday and play host to Windham Thursday of next week. 

Outdoor track

Local outdoor track teams saw plenty of action over the past week-plus.

Last Monday, Scarborough hosted Deering, Marshwood and Westbrook. The Red Storm boys finished first while the girls were second behind the Hawks. 

Last Tuesday, South Portland took part in a five-team meet at Noble. The Red Riots girls were second to the hosts, while the boys finished fourth (Bonny Eagle was first).

Friday, Cape Elizabeth competed in a five-team meet at Freeport. The Capers boys were second to Yarmouth and the girls were runners-up to the hosts.

Monday, South Portland joined Deering and Portland at Cheverus. The Red Riots boys placed first, while the girls were second to the Rams. 

Tennis

Cape Elizabeth’s defending Class B South girls’ tennis team improved to 5-2 and fourth in the Heals after recent 5-0 wins over St. Dom’s and Freeport. 

Cape Elizabeth boys were 3-6 and ninth in Class B South entering Wednesday’s playoff rematch at defending Class B South champion Freeport. The Capers host 11-time Class C champion Waynflete in the regular season finale Monday.

In Class A South, Scarborough’s girls take an 8-1 record and the No. 3 spot in the Heals into Friday’s pivotal match at Cheverus. 

Scarborough’s boys were 2-6 and 12th in Class A South entering Wednesday’s match at Portland.

South Portland’s boys were 4-3 and sixth in Class A South entering Wednesday’s match at Biddeford.

The South Portland girls took a 3-4 mark and the No. 11 ranking in Class A South into Wednesday’s home match versus Biddeford. 

Times Record staff writer Bob Conn contributed to this story.

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