(Ed. Note: For the complete Greely-Yarmouth and Falmouth-Yarmouth baseball, Falmouth-Deering, Greely-Cape Elizabeth and Yarmouth-Portland boys’ lacrosse and Greely-Cape Elizabeth, Greely-Waynflete and Yarmouth-NYA girls’ lacrosse game stories, with box scores and photos, please visit theforecaster.net)

While Mother Nature has been the undisputed champion the past couple of weeks, local athletes have managed to make the most of their opportunities.

While tennis is hitting its home stretch (please see story), baseball, softball, lacrosse and track are also winding down. Here’s a glimpse at where things stand and what’s to come:

Baseball-Yachtsmen continue excellence

Falmouth’s baseball team is off to its best start this century. The Yachtsmen enjoyed recent victories at Poland (8-4) at home over Wells (2-1), at The Ballpark over Freeport (5-4, in nine innings) and at Yarmouth (5-0) to improve to 9-0 on the year and first in the Western Class B Heal Points standings. In the win over the Knights, Andrew Emple homered, Nick Spencer doubled and drove in three runs, Addison Foltmer had two RBI and Will D’Agostino had three hits, scored twice and closed out the game on the mound. Connor Murphy earned the victory. Against the Warriors, Spencer got the win with a five-hitter, while Drew Proctor and Murphy had RBI. Playing as the home team against the Falcons, Falmouth tied the game in the bottom of the seventh and won it in the ninth. Spencer drove in the tying and winning runs. Ryan Conley got the win in relief. In the victory over the Clippers, Thomas Fortier threw a two-hitter and Proctor drove in two.

“We were nervous coming into this game,” Fortier said. “Yarmouth’s always a good team. Last year, I faced them and it didn’t go well. They scored seven in the first inning. They’re still a good team this year. We’re making plays behind the pitchers. A lot of people are hitting the ball.”

“We’re just trying to stay relaxed and going out and trying to do little things right,” said Falmouth coach Kevin Winship. “Fortunately right now, we’re getting good pitching, we’re playing solid defense and we’re getting timely hits. The things you need to do. We’re doing little things right to win games.”

The Yachtsmen hosted Poland Wednesday, go to Traip Friday, host Greely at high noon Saturday in a makeup game and go to Freeport Monday and Cape Elizabeth Tuesday.

Greely remains undefeated after wins at York (4-2), over Yarmouth at The Ballpark (3-1) and at Gray-New Gloucester (9-2). Bailey Train got the win and Mike Leeman the save against the Wildcats. In the win over the Clippers, the Rangers didn’t have a baserunner the first four innings and trailed, 1-0, but an RBI single from Brad McKenney tied the score in the fifth and after Liam Maker reached on an error with two outs in the sixth, Greely got the two runs that proved to be the difference as Maker stole second, Pete Stauber was walked intentionally and Train doubled to right-center on a communication breakdown by the Yarmouth outfielders.

“It was a big spot, obviously,” said Train. “You think about that a lot. A double wasn’t exactly what I was thinking in my mind, but it dropped in and I got the job done.”

“I was just sprinting around third and halfway around the third base line I looked and saw it drop and breathed a big sigh of relief,” Maker said.

Leeman slammed the door on a four-hitter. He struck out 11.

“I got a little nervous, but I knew I had to go out there and throw strikes,” said Leeman.

“I’m fine with close games,” said Rangers coach Derek Soule. “It’s important to learn how to play under pressure.”

Monday, Stauber had two hits, two runs scored and two RBI and Train had two hits and scored twice. Jonah Normandeau got the victory and improved to 4-0.

Greely (second to Falmouth in the Heals) was at Yarmouth Wednesday, plays at Waynflete Friday in the first ever meeting between the schools, visits Falmouth Saturday and is home Monday versus Wells.

Yarmouth saw its five-game win streak end with the loss to Greely. In that one, Chester Jacobs had a perfect game through four innings and was the hard-luck loser despite giving up only two hits.

“(Chester’s) going to battle,” Clippers coach Marc Halsted said. “He throws 76, 77 (miles per hour), but he’s cerebral and knows how to compete. He’s a pitcher, not a thrower. (Greely) should be 16-0 and we stood toe-to-toe with them. We’re a nice baseball team. They’re smart kids. They have amazing character. We’re not the most talented team, but we have great human beings.”

Saturday, the Clippers bounced back and enjoyed a 14-3 (five-inning) win at Cape Elizabeth, scoring three times in the first inning, seven in the second and rolled from there. Bryce Snyder had four hits, including two doubles, and seven RBI. Caleb Uhl had three hits and scored four runs. Eamon Costello went 4-for-4, scored four times and two RBI. Thomas Sullivan had two hits and two RBI. Nick Lainey went the distance to earn the win.

“We should have gone to Cape and laid down and complained about being awake early, but instead our guys were fired up and angry,” said Halsted. “We were up 10-0 before an out was made in the second inning. That was a nice character check.”

Yarmouth fell to 6-4 (and ninth in the Heals) with a 5-0 home loss to Falmouth Monday.

“Today, we got beat by a really nice pitcher,” said Halsted. “Our guy (Andrew Turcotte) pitched well enough to compete, but it’s pretty tough when you can’t score.”

The Clippers welcomed Greely Wednesday, play at Gray-New Gloucester Friday and hosts Cape Elizabeth Monday and Freeport Wednesday.

The Falcons snapped a two-game losing streak with an 11-0 (five-inning) home win over Traip last Wednesday. James Purdy and Kaleb Farmer combined to throw a one-hitter, while Farmer added a two-run double and Dan Burke hit a bases loaded double. Luke LaMagna added two hits. Friday, Freeport held off visiting Poland, 6-2, as Josh Weirich doubled twice and drove in three runs and Burke got the win. The Falcons couldn’t hold a late lead in a frustrating 5-4 (nine inning) loss to Falmouth Saturday. Farmer had a pair of hits and Connor Dietrich doubled. Monday, Freeport fell again, 4-2, at home to Cape Elizabeth. LaMagna and Jared Knighton had home runs. The Falcons (7-4 and eighth in the region) were at Wells Wednesday, go to Lake Region Friday, welcome Falmouth Monday and go to Yarmouth Wednesday.

Softball-Greely setting the pace

Greely’s softball team continues to win decisively. The Rangers easily defeated host York (20-1, in five innings) and visiting Yarmouth (12-0, in five innings) last week. Against the Wildcats, Danielle Cimino got the win by throwing a two-hitter. She struck out seven. Lindsey Arsenault had four hits and four RBI. Mykaela Twitchell homered. In the win over the Clippers, Elyse Dinan had three hits and scored three runs. Edith Aromando had two hits, Caroline Hamilton tripled and Cimino doubled as well as earning the win. Monday, at Gray-New Gloucester, Greely prevailed, 9-2, to improve to 8-1 (first in the latest Western Class A Heals). In that one, Cimino threw a four-hitter and had three hits of her own. The Rangers were at Yarmouth Wednesday, visit Sacopee Friday and Falmouth Saturday, play host to Wells Monday and York Wednesday.

Falmouth snapped a four-game skid with a 6-1 win at Poland last Wednesday. Alli Carver had three RBI and Jade Bazinet threw a two-hitter. Home wins over Wells (6-3) and Freeport (7-0) followed. Against the Warriors, the Yachtsmen rallied from three runs down as Carver had a pair of hits. In the win over the Falcons, Amanda Carver threw a five-hit shutout and Maddie Inlow had three hits. Monday, they won again, holding on for a 12-9 victory at Yarmouth behind Alli Carver’s four hits and two RBI and two hits and two RBI apiece from Inlow and Elizabeth Walker.

“That was a fun game,” said Falmouth coach John Keyes. “The young kids have really stepped up and played well. I’m proud of them. We started to hit the ball. The defense has been there. We’re not leaving runners on.”

Falmouth (5-4 and 11th in the region) was home with Fryeburg Tuesday and Traip Wednesday, goes to Traip Friday, plays host to Greely Saturday and visits Freeport Monday and Cape Elizabeth Tuesday of next week.

“Fryeburg and Greely are the two best teams around,” Keyes said. “You’ll have to beat them if you want to do anything.”

Freeport erupted for a 25-0 five inning win over visiting Traip last Wednesday as Leigh Wyman threw a perfect game with 11 strikeouts. K.C. Breed, Hannah Chase, Alexis Dietrich and Danielle Perry all had multiple hits. Friday, the Falcons edged visiting Poland, 4-2, as Perry had three hits and Wyman threw her second no-hitter of the week, striking out six. Saturday, Wyman only allowed four hits, but Freeport lost at Falmouth, 7-0. Wyman did have a pair of hits. Monday brought an 11-2 loss at Cape Elizabeth.  The Falcons (4-6 and 13th in Western B) were at Wells Wednesday, go to Lake Region Friday, host Falmouth Monday and go to Yarmouth Wednesday.

Speaking of the Clippers, they dropped a 12-0 (five-inning) decision at Greely Friday. Emily Parker provided the highlight with her first varsity hit. In the loss to Falmouth Monday, Kallie Hutchinson had a pair of hits and drove in three, while McKenzie Gray and Lydia Ruetty both had two hits.

“Today I’m happy, because we played with some desire and passion,” said Yarmouth coach Jim Senecal. “To be honest, it’s probably something we lacked a bit earlier in the year. We’re playing better now. We are who we are. We’re young and we make a ton of defensive mistakes. Today we scored some runs. We hadn’t been doing that. Let’s hope that continues.”

Yarmouth (2-7 and 14th in the region) was home with Greely Wednesday, plays at Gray-New Gloucester Friday, welcomes Cape Elizabeth Monday and Freeport Wednesday.

Boys’ lacrosse-Yachtsmen primed for showdown

Falmouth’s boys’ lacrosse team has Cape Elizabeth on its mind. For good reason. The state’s premier rivalry the past couple seasons had the second of a likely three acts Wednesday night in Falmouth (please see theforecaster.net for a detailed game story, box score and photos). The Yachtsmen lost to the Capers in the opener, but took a seven-game win streak into the rematch thanks to a 21-4 win at Wells and an 18-0 home triumph over Deering last week. Against the Warriors, Will Sipperly had four goals, while Mitch Tapley added three with three assists. In the surprisingly easy victory over the Rams, Falmouth had a 6-0 lead after one period and induced a running clock by halftime. Tapley had six goals. Charlie Fay added four and T.J. Gilbert had three.

“We’ve just adopted a new attitude the second half of the season,” said Yachtsmen coach Mike LeBel. “We expected way too much the first half and played too tight. We’ve taken a new relaxed approach so guys aren’t afraid to make mistakes.”

After hosting Cape Elizabeth Wednesday, Falmouth (a close second to the Capers in the Western B Heals as of press time) is off until Tuesday when it goes to York. The Yachtsmen close with a trip to Yarmouth and a home game versus North Yarmouth Academy.

Greely began the week 5-3 and third in Western B after sandwiching losses at Cape Elizabeth (14-5) and at home to Kennebunk (7-2) around a 6-4 victory at York last week. Against the Capers, Paul Witte scored twice and Sam Reed made 16 saves.

“This team gets better every day,” said first-year Rangers coach Mike Storey. “We’ll continue improving. Every day is working toward our ultimate goal.”

Brendan Trelegan had two goals in the victory. Greely was at Freeport Tuesday and goes to Deering Saturday.

In Eastern B, Yarmouth is up to third with a 6-2 record. The Clippers blanked visiting Freeport, 14-0, won at Lake Region, 17-2, and held off visiting Portland, 9-5, last week. Against the Falcons, Max Watson scored five goals. Ian Edgecomb scored four against the Lakers. In the win over the Bulldogs, Yarmouth took an early 3-0 lead, but didn’t score again for almost 28 minutes as Portland goalie Ryan Jurgelevich was unbeatable. Edgecomb finally put the Clippers ahead late in the third and they went on to the victory, which was highlighted by Edgecomb’s four tallies.

“Overall, we got off to a good start, which is something we’ve been needing since we’ve been slow out of the gate the past few games,” said Edgecomb. “It took until now to really get that out-of-the-gate start we needed.”

“We were ready for a dogfight,” said junior defender Drew Grout. “Going in with the people around us, we knew that they’d push and box out their man and that made it a dogfight.”

Monday, Yarmouth rolled to a 14-1 victory at Fryeburg. The Clippers have a difficult remaining slate. After going to NYA Wednesday, they’re at defending Class A champion Scarborough Friday, then close with a home test from Falmouth and a trip to Cape Elizabeth.

“We are in the cauldron,” said Yarmouth first-year coach David Pearl. “NYA, Scarborough, Falmouth and Cape. We’re looking forward to getting another crack at Falmouth and Cape. Any time we step on the field, I think we can win. The guys are looking forward to the challenge.”

NYA was 3-4 and fifth at press time after a 16-3 win at Gorham Saturday. T.J. Daigler had four goals, while Oliver Silverson scored three times. After hosting Yarmouth Wednesday, the Panthers are at Thornton Academy Friday. They go to Freeport Wednesday of next week.

The Falcons bounced back from a 14-0 loss at Yarmouth last Tuesday with a 2-1 victory at Windham Saturday in four overtimes. Freeport (2-5) began the week ninth in Eastern B, a region which sends eight teams to the playoffs. The Falcons were home with Greely Tuesday, go to Wells Friday and play host to NYA next Wednesday.

Girls’ lacrosse-Clippers on a roll

Defending Class B state champion Yarmouth suffered five straight losses to start 2012, but has come to life and leads the Eastern B Heal Points standings. The Clippers broke into the win column with abandon last Tuesday, 21-9, over visiting Wells. Jeanna Lowery had five goals, Mo McNaboe four and Grace O’Donnell and Ricki Pierce three apiece. Thursday, Yarmouth hosted rival NYA and after surrendering the game’s first goal scored the next nine and never looked back in a 12-5 victory. Claudia Lockwood had four goals, Maddy Wood three. 

“It feels really, really good,” said Wood. “Game experience and bringing 100 percent to practice every single day has been the difference. We just had to pick it up in practice. That’s why I think we’ve picked it up in the games.”

“It’s really exciting for the girls,” said Clippers coach Dorothy Holt. “I’m proud of them. The confidence is coming, but we still have a way to go.”

Saturday, Yarmouth improved to 3-5 with a hard-fought 12-10 victory at Gorham. McNaboe had five goals, while O’Donnnell scored three times and Lockwood twice. Goalie Jordan Brown made nine clutch saves. The Clippers were home with Fryeburg Tuesday, go to York Friday and return home next Wednesday for a showdown with undefeated Waynflete.

Freeport began the week 4-3 and second to Yarmouth after an 8-5 home loss to South Portland Saturday. Jess Hench had two goals in defeat. The Falcons were at Cape Elizabeth Tuesday, host Waynflete Friday and welcome York Tuesday.

NYA fell to 0-8 with losses last week at Yarmouth (12-5) and at home to Massabesic (16-8). Katie Cawley had two goals against the Clippers as the Panthers finished on a three-goal run.

“We did finish strong,” said NYA coach Lynn Sullivan. “We’re not quitters, that’s for sure.”

Despite their slow start, the Panthers are still very much in the Eastern Class B playoff hunt. Five of the eight teams in the region qualify and NYA was tied for seventh at the start of the week. The Panthers hosted Waynflete Tuesday. Games at Greely and Falmouth, a home tilt with Fryeburg and a season-ending home test against Yarmouth (May 30) also remain.

“We’re improving,” Sullivan said. “The girls are having fun. That’s what we want to see. We want to improve on the things we need to improve on. We’re more competitive. It would be nice to get a win or two.”

In Western B, Falmouth bounced back from its lone loss with a 22-4 romp at Fryeburg and a surprisingly easy 17-10 home victory over Kennebunk. Molly Ryan had four goals, Megan Fortier, Angela Mallis and Geneva Waite three apiece against the Raiders. The Yachtsmen shot to an 11-4 halftime lead against the Rams and never looked back as Fortier scored four times and Mallis, Vanessa Audet and Alex Bernier all added each goals. Falmouth (third behind Waynflete and Cape Elizabeth in the hotly contested region) was home with York Tuesday, goes to Wells Thursday, then gets a chance to avenge its lone loss next Tuesday in a pivotal showdown at Waynflete.

Greely almost pulled off a stirring comeback last Tuesday at Cape Elizabeth. Trailing 8-2 in the first half, the Rangers didn’t surrender another goal to the prolific Capers and got within 8-7 late, but a last second free position shot was denied and Greely fell a goal short. Julia Mitiguy had two goals and freshman goalie Mary Morrison made 13 saves.

“It was very exciting,” said Rangers coach Sara Dimick. “We ran out of time. We had opportunities at the end, but it didn’t go our way. It was a huge stepping stone for my girls. The heart and hustle we’ve been looking for was there. They brought it today. I’m really proud of them.”

Greely then hosted Waynflete and despite taking an early 2-0 lead, couldn’t keep up and fell, 12-5, despite two goals from Cameron Keefe.

“Getting good shots was the tough part,” said Dimick. “We ran our plays. A couple times, they worked really well, but not as many times as we hoped. We hope to capitalize on them in future games.”

Friday, the Rangers improved to 2-5 with a 13-5 home win over Windham. Mitiguy and Paige Tuller both scored three times. Meaghan Labbe added two goals and an assist. Greely (2-5 and fifth in Western B) was home against Wells Tuesday and at York Wednesday. The Rangers go to NYA Friday.

Track

Falmouth and Greely’s outdoor track powerhouses got their first of several looks at each other Friday in a meet in Cumberland. The Yachtsmen won the boys’ meet with the Rangers coming in second. The teams flipped on the girls’ side, with Greely winning and Falmouth finishing runner-up.

In the boys’ meet, the Yachtsmen got victories from Jacob Buhelt in the 100 (11.57 seconds) and 200 (23.05), Reid Pryzant in the 300 hurdles (41.95) and triple jump (40 feet, 1 inch), Ryan Tartre in the high jump (5-8), Alex Gowen in the pole vault (10-6), Aaron Rogers in the long jump (19-8), Matt Kingry in the javelin (136-10) and their 400 (45.39) and 3,200 (8 minutes, 41.66 seconds) relays. Rangers first place finishers included Nestor Taylor in the 800 (2:00.49), Liam Campbell in the mile (4:31.32), James Ferrar in the shot put (43-0.5) and the 1,600 relay team (3:36.39).

In the girls’ competition, Greely winners included Jessica Wilson in the 800 (2:30.17), Eva Bates in the mile (5:33.93), Hannah Keisman in the 100 hurdles (17.54), Abby Bonnevie in the pole vault (9 feet) and Emily Saunders in the triple jump (33-9). Falmouth got victories from Madeline Roberts in the two-mile (11:57.06) and Jenna Serunian in the shot put (36-8) and discus (107-9).

Falmouth and Greely meet again Friday, joined by Yarmouth, in a meet hosted by Cape Elizabeth. They’ll also square off at the Western Maine Conference championship meet May 26 at Yarmouth and June 2 in the Class B state meet.

“Based on the boys’ results, we don’t match up as well as would like, especially in the absence of Falmouth’s Tim Follo last week,” said Greely coach John Folan. “Conversely, we will match up better with the girls as Kirstin Sandreuter returns from a successful visit (running the two-mile in 10:55.11) to the Loucks Games in White Plains, N.Y. Nevertheless, I suspect all of our kids will come to play in the next four weeks and that’s all a person can ask for.”

“I feel we match up pretty well (with Greely) on the boys’ side,” said Falmouth coach Danny Paul. “It’s hard to tell yet what it means as both teams are moving athletes around trying to qualify and position for the championships. Both schools’ distance groups are impressive. Their girls are really deep in the distance, 800 on up. Other than Waterville, which is loaded, Greely’s girls are the strongest team we compete with. I hope our girls can get closer, but Greely at present is stronger than us.”

Yarmouth hosted Poland, Traip and Waynflete Friday and both Clippers teams were third. Yarmouth girls’ winners included Fiona Clarke in the 800 (2:43.0), Jocelyn Davies in the high jump (4-10), Megan Smith in the pole vault (7-6). Gina Robinson in the javelin (89-3) and Abby Vogel in the discus (72-0).  On the boys’ side, Lucas Davis took the 100 (11.7) and 200 (24.1), Sam Gerkin won the mile (5:11.6), Ben Decker took the two-mile (9:58.1), Tom Robichaud was first in the pole vault (9-6) and Chris Knaub dominated in the javelin (168-6).

Results for Freeport and NYA’s meets last week weren’t available.

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

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Greely senior Liam Maker steals second as Yarmouth senior Ryan Cody takes the throw in the sixth inning of Friday night’s battle at The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach. Maker came home with the go-ahead run and the Rangers pulled out a 3-1 win.

Falmouth senior goalie Cam Bell stands tall during the Yachtsmen’s 18-0 home victory over Deering Saturday.

NYA junior Nyajal Ngoal races past Yarmouth senior Jeanna Lowery during the teams’ first showdown last week. The Clippers won, 12-5.

Greely’s Eva Bates heads toward a first-place finish in the mile at Friday’s meet versus rival Falmouth, Fryeburg and Lake Region. The Rangers came in first as a team.

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