The 2011 baseball season is only a few games old, but so far, teams from the city have indulged in their share of thrillers.

As was the case a year ago, the Cheverus Stags are fast out of the gate, winning their first four games. The Stags opened with a 4-1 victory at Scarborough last Monday (senior catcher Nic Lops tripled and drove in a pair of runs and senior Joey Royer earned the win after striking out 10 batters).

Wednesday, Cheverus edged visiting Thornton Academy, 5-4, as junior Louie DiStasio had a couple hits and also earned the victory. Junior Harry Ridge worked out of a seventh inning jam to earn the save.

Thursday, the Stags had an easier time, downing visiting Gorham, 13-1, in six innings. DiStasio had five hits, including a home run, hit for the cycle, drove in three runs and scored three times, while Lops doubled, tripled and scored twice.

Saturday, Cheverus kept the hot bats going, beating host Noble, 13-2 (in five innings). Freshman Mitchell Powers scattered three hits to earn the win, while DiStasio, Lops, Royer and Ridge all had multiple hits.

The Stags went to defending regional champion Biddeford Tuesday, go to South Portland Thursday and return home Tuesday of next week versus Kennebunk.

The perennial powerhouse Deering Rams, under new coach Mark Sutton, took a 3-1 mark into the week. After opening with a 4-3 win at South Portland, Deering got a pair of hits (including a double) from senior Jamie Ross, but lost, 4-3, at Biddeford, on a rarity, a balk, which brought home the decisive run. After a 7-3 home win over Kennebunk Thursday, the Rams held off visiting Bonny Eagle, 8-4, Saturday. In that one, senior Matt Bevilacqua had four RBI and Ross threw a three-hitter to earn the victory, striking out 10.

Deering was at Massabesic Tuesday, hosts Sanford Thursday and goes to Noble Tuesday of next week. Next Thursday brings a home showdown with Portland.

Speaking of the Bulldogs, they began the week 3-1 under new coach Tony DiBiase. Portland easily handled visiting Gorham in the opener, 11-4, then lost, 8-0 at Marshwood last Tuesday when the Bulldogs were no-hit by Luke Fernandes. Friday, the Bulldogs edged host Bonny Eagle, 7-6 (sophomore Kyle Reichert drove in three runs, including the winner on a sacrifice fly, and classmate Caleb Fraser earned the victory). Saturday, Portland got a two-hit shutout from sophomore Nate Smart in a 3-0 home win over Massabesic.

The Bulldogs hosted DiBiase’s old team, South Portland, Tuesday, go to Kennebunk Thursday and welcome Biddeford Saturday.

In Western Class C, Waynflete picked up where it left off in its playoff season of 2010. The Flyers avenged that postseason loss with a 7-1 home victory over Old Orchard Beach in the opener. Sophomore Charlie Laprade struck out 10 to earn the win. Saturday, Waynflete split an eventful doubleheader at Traip Academy. In the opener, the Flyers lost, 7-6, in eight innings. Laprade and senior Sam Murphy both had multiple hits, but Waynflete couldn’t hold a late lead. In the nightcap, the Flyers embarked on a stirring rally, scoring five times in the seventh to win, 9-8.  Freshman Joey Schnier, who homered earlier in the contest, capped the comeback with a two-run double. Murphy also homered and senior Alex Hadiaris had three hits.

Waynflete (2-1) was home versus Gould Academy Monday, hosts Sacopee Wednesday and visits Gould Friday before welcoming Old Orchard Beach Monday of next week.

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

Deering senior Jamie Ross fires a pitch during Saturday’s win over Bonny Eagle.

Senior John Miranda’s steal attempt didn’t end successfully against Bonny Eagle Saturday.

Deering senior Sam Balzano shows off his speed during Saturday’s win.

Deering senior Jamie Ross eludes a tag and scores one of his team’s eight runs Saturday.

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Deering junior Nick DiBiase scores a run during Saturday’s 8-4 home win over Bonny Eagle, the Rams’ third in four tries this season.

More photos below.

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