The postseason is already underway in tennis and track (see stories) and now it’s baseball, softball and lacrosse’s turn to follow suit.

The regular season for the sports was winding up at press time and playoff excitement is right around the corner.

Here’s a glimpse:

Baseball

Cheverus, Deering and Portland’s baseball teams are all playoff-bound, the only question is where they’ll be seeded.

At press time, the Bulldogs were third in the tightly contested Western Class A Heal Points standings after improving to 10-4 with home wins last week over city rivals Cheverus (7-6) and Deering (12-4). Portland fell behind the Stags, 6-0, but rallied with six runs in the fifth to tie it, sparked by a two-run single from Ryan Ruhlin and a game-tying single from Nick Archambault, then won it in the seventh when Archambault drove in the decisive run. Ruhlin got the victory in relief. Against the Rams, Charles Barnard got the win in relief, while Ruhlin, Jake Knop and George Chaison-Lapine all had three hits. The Bulldogs were scheduled to host Bonny Eagle in a makeup game Monday before closing at Sanford Tuesday, but both games were in jeopardy due to the weather.

Cheverus had dropped to seventh in Western A after suffering losses last week at Portland (7-6), at Gorham (4-2) and at home to defending regional champion Windham (13-3). Alex Libby had two hits in the loss at the Bulldogs and two more against the Rams. The Stags close at top-ranked Marshwood Wednesday.

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Deering fell to 9-6 and ninth after its 12-4 loss at Portland. The Rams had previously defeated visiting Sanford, 11-1, in five innings. In the victory, Pat Viola had two hits and four RBI and Orey Dutton drove in three runs, including a two-run single that induced a game-ending mercy rule and ended the game. Nate Loranger got the win after allowing just four hits in five innings. Against the Bulldogs, Dominick Bernard had three hits. Deering was scheduled to close at Windham Tuesday.

Waynflete finished its season 4-12 and 15th in Western Class C (only 12 teams make the playoffs). The Flyers lost at Sacopee Valley (19-2 in five innings) and won at home over North Yarmouth Academy (6-4) in their final two games. Thomas Silk closed the season in style, pitching a two-hitter with 14 Ks and homering and driving in four runs in the win over the Panthers.

The playoffs begin with the preliminary round Tuesday of next week and the quarterfinal round Thursday, June 11. Those games will be hosted by the higher seeds.

Softball

McAuley’s softball team was still clinging to playoff hopes at press time. The Lions wrapped up their regular with a 7-9 record last week after defeating visiting Massabesic (9-4) and host Deering (11-2). Ally Tillotson drove in three runs against the Mustangs. Tillotson and Lillie Donovan homered in the win over the Rams. Twelve teams make the playoffs in Western Class A and McAuley was 11th in the Heal Points standings at the start of the week but several teams behind the Lions still had games to play, meaning a postseason berth wasn’t guaranteed.

Portland still had a pulse as well, but for the Bulldogs (4-11 and 15th) to qualify, they would have had to beat host undefeated powerhouse Scarborough in their finale, which was scheduled for Monday. Last week, Portland won at Gorham (7-5) and lost at home to Bonny Eagle (10-2). Isabelle Dimillo got the win against the Rams and Morgan Boyle doubled and tripled.

Deering finished its season 2-14 and 17th after losses to visiting Marshwood (9-1) and McAuley (11-2). Cassidy Coyne had a double and an RBI versus the Hawks. Coyne singled, doubled and tripled in the loss to the Lions.

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Cheverus fell to 1-14 and 18th after losses last week at Noble (21-9 in five innings) and at home to Sanford (14-1). Sophia Giancotti had four hits against the Knights. The Stags close at Massabesic Wednesday.

The playoffs begin with the preliminary round Tuesday of next week and the quarterfinal round Thursday, June 11. Those games will be hosted by the higher seeds.

Boys’ lacrosse

Three, perhaps even four, city boys’ lacrosse teams will take part in the postseason.

In Eastern A, Cheverus was 6-5 and fifth in the Heals at press time after extending its win streak to five with an 18-7 victory at Portland and a 20-3 triumph at Marshwood. Thomas Lawson had five goals against the Hawks. The Stags close at home versus Thornton Academy Wednesday.

Portland began the week 5-6 and sixth in Eastern A after an 18-7 home loss to Cheverus and an 11-8 win over Massabesic. The Bulldogs closed at Marshwood Tuesday.

Deering was 4-7 and ninth in Eastern A. Only eight teams make the playoffs, but the Rams were closing in on Cony for the final spot. Last week, Deering lost at home to Windham, 16-11 (despite seven goals from Andrew Johnson), and beat visiting Noble, 17-7 (as Johnson scored five more times and Max Hornblower and Sambath Sao scored three goals each). The Rams closed at Westbrook Tuesday.

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In Western B, Waynflete improved to 8-3 and fourth after home wins over Wells (18-10) and York (14-4). Ford Malter scored seven times, while Harry Baker-Connick had four goals versus the Warriors. In the win over the Wildcats, Baker-Connick had four goals and Joe Connors scored three times. The Flyers closed the regular season at Freeport Tuesday.

The boys’ lacrosse playoffs begin Wednesday of next week with the quarterfinal round on the fields of the higher seeds.

Girls’ lacrosse

Waynflete’s girls’ lacrosse team faced another challenging week last week and split two games to remain in the thick of the hunt in the deepest region in the state, Western Class B.

Last Tuesday, the Flyers hosted defending Class B champion Yarmouth and despite opening up a 4-1 first half lead, couldn’t hold it, as they lost home to the Clippers for the second year in a row, 8-6. Christian Rowe had two goals in the defeat.

“They held us without a goal for 24 minutes,” said Flyers coach Cathie Connors. “That can’t happen to us against a team like that. We played a great first half and Yarmouth played a great second half. It’s always fun to play them.”

Waynflete hosted improved York Friday and after settling for a 3-3 tie at halftime, opened up a little breathing room in the second half. The Flyers had to hold on down the stretch and managed to prevail, 7-6, as Haley Johnson scored four times and Isabel Canning added four assists. Waynflete (7-4 and fifth in Western B) closes at Freeport Thursday. The Flyers might have to go on the road for the quarterfinal round for the first time ever.

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In Eastern A, Portland and Cheverus are playoff-bound, but McAuley and Deering were on the outside looking in at press time.

Portland dropped a 12-3 home decision to Thornton Academy last Tuesday, then won 14-10 at Edward Little Friday and improved to 6-5 with a 12-10 home victory at Bonny Eagle Saturday. Merritt Ryan continued her strong season with six goals and Ellie Linsmith added three against the Scots. The Bulldogs (fourth in the Heals) closed the regular season at Deering Tuesday.

Cheverus, the two-time defending regional champion, lost at Scarborough (11-7) and at home to Gorham (15-10) as its skid hit five games, then improved to 4-7 with a 17-5 home victory over Deering. Anne Veroneau had three goals in the loss to Gorham and scored five times in the win. Allie Scott added three goals in the victory. The Stags (sixth in Eastern A) close at home versus McAuley Wednesday.

The Lions come in to that game with a chance to make the playoffs for the first time in a decade. McAuley beat host Deering (13-12) and Lincoln Academy (10-8) last week and was 5-5 and ninth and hot on the heels of Edward Little, which was clinging to the eighth and final postseason spot. Elizabeth Poulin had four goals and Alison Tardif and Greta DiPierro both had three in the win over the Rams. Prior to playing at Cheveus, the Lions went to Windham Monday.

Deering fell to 2-9 and 11th after losses to visiting McAuley (13-12), at Sanford (19-8) and at Cheverus (17-5). Emily Krabbe had three goals versus the Spartans and two in the loss to the Stags. The Rams closed at home versus Portland Tuesday.

The girls’ lacrosse playoffs begin Wednesday of next week with the quarterfinal round on the fields of the higher seeds.

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

Sidebar Elements


Waynflete junior Nina Moore tries to elude Yarmouth’s Mary Coyne during the Flyers’ 8-6 home loss last week.


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