(Ed. Note: For the complete Cape Elizabeth-Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth-Falmouth and South Portland-Kennebunk boys’ lacrosse and Cape Elizabeth-Waynflete and Scarborough-Waynflete girls’ lacrosse game stories, with photos and box scores, please see theforecaster.net)

With nicer weather (finally) as a backdrop, the short spring season reached its midway point in recent days and action has heated up on the diamonds, fields, tracks and courts.

Here’s a glimpse.

Baseball

South Portland’s baseball team won its sixth game in succession to start the season last Thursday when it blanked host Biddeford, 10-0, behind a five-inning no-hitter from Henry Curran. Curran walked one batter and fanned 13. Zac Marles had two hits and drove in three runs and Cosmo Romano also had multiple hits. Saturday, the Red Riots’ undefeated run came to a close with a 6-1 loss at Scarborough. Tuesday, South Portland improved to 7-1 after a 2-0 home win over Cheverus. This time, Curran was mortal, allowing three hits, but he still spun a shutout. The Red Riots (first in the Western Class A Heal Points standings) went to Windham Thursday and host Portland Tuesday of next week.

Scarborough, after dropping four games in a row to start the year, has roared to life. The Red Storm handed South Portland its first loss, 6-1, behind the pitching of Zach Carreiro and Ben Greenberg and triples from Greenberg, Matt Hartl and Sam Warren. Tuesday, Scarborough improved to 3-4 (and fifth in Western A) with a 5-4 win at Windham. Greenberg got the win in relief as the winning run scored on an error. Nate Wessel had two hits, including a double. The Red Storm went to Deering Thursday (see theforecaster.net for game story), host Portland Saturday and play host to Massabesic Tuesday of next week.

In Western B, Cape Elizabeth was 12th in the standings at 3-4 after winning at Freeport, 6-4, extending its win streak to three with a 9-0 home victory over Fryeburg, then falling at home to Gray-New Gloucester, 1-0. Nick Moulton tripled and drove in two runs against the Raiders, while Tim Brigham and Aaron Dobieski contributed two hits apiece. Nate Ingalls was the hard-luck loser against the Patriots. After going to Greely Wednesday, the Capers visit Kennebunk Friday, play at Lake Region Monday and welcome Poland Wednesday of next week.

Softball

Cape Elizabeth’s softball team remains undefeated and was first in the Western B Heals at press time. The Capers improved to 8-0 by handling host Freeport (10-1), visiting Traip (13-1) and visiting Gray-New Gloucester (11-1). Katie Rabasca got the win against the Falcons, as Tess Haller and Emma O’Rourke had multiple hits. O’Rourke tripled, as did Ashley Tinsman. Haller homered and doubled against the Rangers. Michaela Pinette had two hits and drove in a pair of runs and Megan Nicholson and Monika Scheindel drove in two runs apiece. In the win over the Patriots, Rabasca got the win with a five-hitter, Cape Elizabeth blew the game open with a nine-run fifth and Haller doubled twice and added a triple. The Capers faced a stern test Wednesday, when they went to Greely. After playing at Kennebunk Friday and at Lake Region Monday, Cape Elizabeth returns home Wednesday of next week to face dangerous Poland.

In Western A, the Scarborough juggernaut rolls on. The defending state champions were 7-0 and first in the Heals after handling visiting Noble (15-5), host Sanford (14-0) and visiting Massabesic (13-2). Standout Alyssa Williamson had herself a day against the Knights, as she homered twice, singled, drove in six runs and earned the victory on the mound. Sophia Burnham, Ashley Gleason, Megan Murrell and Maggie Murphy all added three hits. Against the Spartans, Williamson threw a one-hitter, fanning nine. Burnham had three hits and four RBI. In the win over the Mustangs, Williamson homered again, Abbie Murrell earned the win in her varsity debut and had three hits and Gleason and Chloe Gorey also had three hits. The Red Storm went to Deering Wednesday, hosts McAuley Friday and Marshwood Monday, then play at Cheverus Wednesday of next week.

South Portland pummeled visiting Deering last Wednesday, 33-9, in five innings, as it scored 12 runs in the first inning, 10 in the second and eight more in the fourth. Laurine German had four hits and six RBI, Miranda Gleason had three hits, including a home run, and drove in eight and Paige Carter had five hits, five RBI and scored three runs. The Red Riots then had a much tougher tussle at McAuley Friday in the rain. After taking an early 4-0 lead, South Portland saw the Lions rally to score seven straight runs. Trailing, 7-6, with two down in the top of the seventh, German sparked a rally with a triple. Gleason (who made a fabulous game-saving catch earlier in the game) drew a walk and pitcher Olivia Indorf crushed a clutch three-run homer to give the Red Riots a 9-7 victory. Monday, the Red Riots improved to 6-1 and fourth in Western A with a 9-6 win at Marshwood, erasing an early 3-1 deficit. German had four RBI and Indorf, behind nine strikeouts, earned the victory. South Portland was home with Cheverus Wednesday, visits Windham Friday, hosts Westbrook Monday and plays at Biddeford Wednesday of next week.

Boys’ lacrosse

Superb boys’ lacrosse continues to be played in Forecaster Country with all three teams facing top foes in recent days.

Cape Elizabeth, the defending Class B champion, passed a couple huge tests, improving to 6-0 and first in the Western B Heals with wins at Scarborough (10-5) and at home over Falmouth (12-8). Against the Red Storm, Ben Shea led all scorers with three goals, while R.J. Sarka, Owen Thoreck and Noah Haversat each had a pair. The Capers’ defense was tremendous throughout.

“We made things click and did what we do best, score goals,” Thoreck said. “It took some time. We were nervous, but we stepped it up.”

“We kept them off balance,” said defenseman Trevor Gale. “There was a lot of hype. We focused on the game, not the environment. It was a pretty big matchup.”

“It’s always good to play quality opponents who can give us a game,” added longtime Capers coach Ben Raymond. “They challenged us in every aspect. We get better each and every game. We have to continue to improve.”

Against the Yachtsmen, Cape Elizabeth shot to a 5-0 lead and never looked back, getting three goals apiece from Haversat and Thoreck, two more from Andrew Kelly and Griffin Thoreck and 16 faceoff wins in 22 tries from senior specialist James Monroe-Chausse.

“It’s hopefully one of three (meetings) and it feels good to get the first one,” Griffin Thoreck said. “It helped to get up early. We kept our foot on the gas pedal and kept scoring goals.”

“Obviously, we want to win,” Monroe-Chausse said. I was pumped up all day during school and tried to keep it in during the game. I wanted to stay in a strong, winning mindset.”

“We did a good job holding them in check and not letting them play like they have all year,” said defenseman Noah Wolfinger. “We did a good job talking as a unit.”

“What we have is a really good group of guys who all have strengths and all have weaknesses and it’s finding out who we can put on the field at the right times,” Raymond added. “What I”m most impressed with is making better decisions.”

The Capers host Brunswick in a crossover game Friday night, then visit Greely Tuesday.

Scarborough, the four-time Class A champion, saw its 15-game win streak end Saturday with a 10-5 home loss to Cape Elizabeth. Christian Neelon had two goals and goalie Jordan Flannery made 10 saves in defeat.

“We did a lot of good things,” said Red Storm coach Joe Hezlep. “Our effort from beginning to end is the best we’ve had. They’re still better, but we had missed chances today.”

Scarborough took a 5-1 mark and the No. 2 ranking in Western A into a state final rematch at Cheverus Wednesday afternoon. The Red Storm visits Falmouth in a crossover game Saturday. Scarborough returns home Tuesday to face Windham.

South Portland romped at Westbrook last Wednesday, 21-4, behind 10 goals from Thomas Leddy. Friday, the Red Riots avenged last year’s painful playoff ouster with a 14-9 home win over Kennebunk. Leddy led the way with five goals, while goalie T-Moe Hellier stopped 16 shots.

“It was a little bit scary, but in the end, we came together,” Leddy said. “I love playing Kennebunk. They never quit. We have a ton of respect for them. They’re a great team. It’s always a great game. Guys always dig deep. It’s fun.”

“It feels good,” said Hellier. “We had this game marked on our calendar all year. We wanted revenge. It’s helpful for us to not only prove to ourselves, but to the rest of the league that we can do it.”

“It was a good, solid team win,” added Red Riots coach Tom Fiorini. “We talked in the locker room before we came out about (last) June 8th. We had unfinished business. The kids stayed aggressive and it paid off.”

Tuesday, South Portland improved to 6-0 and first in Western A with a 12-6 home win over Thornton Academy. Jack Fiorini scored four times and Hellier made 16 more saves.

“We had a slow first half, but we came alive in the second,” Fiorini said.

The Red Riots have a big crossover test Friday night at perennial power Yarmouth (see theforecaster.net for game story) and visit Deering Tuesday.

Girls’ lacrosse

Cape Elizabeth’s girls’ team went to nemesis Waynflete Tuesday hoping to end a 12-year, 22-game skid to the two-time defending Class B champions. The Capers were coming off a 14-12 win at Gorham Friday, thanks to seven goals from Liz Robinson, and played the Flyers tight throughout, but Waynflete went ahead on a goal two seconds before halftime and held off a late Cape Elizabeth charge, 6-5. Hannah Newhall scored twice, but the Capers were denied once more.

“It’s always frustrating when you don’t win a game, but it’s encouraging by how closely matched the game was,” said Cape Elizabeth coach Jeff Perkins. “We talked about (the losing streak to Waynflete) briefly yesterday in practice and it wasn’t even really on our radar. The girls came out loose today. They did well.”

The Capers (4-2 and third in Western B) are idle until Tuesday, when red-hot Yarmouth pays a visit.

In Western A, Scarborough has hit a rough patch. The Red Storm won their first three outings, but Saturday, at Waynflete, they went down to defeat, 12-7, falling behind early and never catching up, despite three goals from Kaitlin Prince. Twenty-two turnovers proved too much to overcome.

“When you commit 22 turnovers, you won’t win a game,” Scarborough coach Marcia Wood said. “It’s funny because we had a really good warmup. We just couldn’t hold on to the ball.”

Tuesday, the Red Storm dropped a stunning 14-13 home decision to Gorham. Prince and Emma Smith each had three goals. Scarborough (3-2 and fourth in Western A) looked to get back on track Thursday at Thornton Academy. The Red Storm host Portland Saturday and go to Marshwood Tuesday of next week.

South Portland fell to 1-3 last Thursday with a 14-9 home loss to Gorham (Shae O’Brien and Courtney Trufant both scored twice), then got back in the win column Tuesday, downing host Sanford, 5-3, behind three goals from Abby Letourneau. The Red Riots (ninth in Western A) went to Portland Thursday, host Cony Saturday and welcome Deering Wednesday of next week.

Outdoor track

The track regular season continued last week with a lot of success by local runners, jumpers and throwers.

Cape Elizabeth hosted Freeport, Kennebunk, Waynflete and Wells last Friday. The boys were second behind the Rams and the girls came in third behind Kennebunk and Wells.

The Capers boys got wins from Trevor Ewald in the 100 (11.99 seconds), Deven Roberts in the 110 hurdles (18.51), Liam Simpson in the mile (4 minutes, 38.45 seconds) and the two-mile (10:19.37), Will Britton in the 800 (2:09.50), Eddie Galvin in the long jump (20 feet) and triple jump (38-9.5) and their 3,200 relay (8:54.12).

Girls’ victors included Emily Faria in the mile (5:50.53), Montana Braxton in the 200 (27.39), Evan Brydson in the 800 (2:30.43) and their 3,200 relay (11:28.91).

Tuesday, Scarborough’s girls hosted Noble and Portland and came in first. Event winners included Laura Volan in the mile (5:32.49), Cailley Ledue in the 200 (28.87) and pole vault (8-6), Ellen Shaw in the 300 hurdles (52.38), Morgan McKeown in the 400 (1:06.45), Emma Koukos in the 800 (2:34.03), Sarah Rinaldi in the high jump (4-10) and triple jump (31-5), Edie Christian in the long jump (14-10) and the 1,600 (4:32.6) and 3,200 (11:28.24) relays.

Tennis

Cape Elizabeth’s defending Class B state champion boys’ tennis team was first in the Western B Heals at press time after a 4-1 win over Freeport Monday and a 5-0 loss to Falmouth Tuesday. The 6-2 Capers go to six-time defending Class C champion Waynflete Friday. In Western A, Scarborough was third behind Falmouth and Thornton Academy in the standings at 4-1 after a 3-2 win at Windham Monday. The Red Storm went to South Portland Wednesday, which was 2-4 and 14th after Monday’s 4-1 loss to Cheverus.

On the girls’ side, Cape Elizabeth is second to Greely in the Western B Heals at 5-4 after 5-0 wins over Kennebunk, Lake Region and Freeport and a 5-0 loss at Falmouth Tuesday, when the Yachtsmen won their 100th match in succession. In Western A, Scarborough was eighth at 3-2 after a 3-2 loss to Windham Monday. The Red Storm hosted 2-4 South Portland Wednesday. The Red Riots were 12th at press time.

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