(Ed. Note: For the complete Greely-Yarmouth baseball, Yarmouth-Brunswick boys’ lacrosse and Falmouth-Freeport girls’ lacrosse game stories, with photos and box scores, please see theforecaster.net)

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

Here’s a glimpse.

Baseball

Greely’s baseball team bounced back from its lone loss nicely by downing visiting Yarmouth (5-4) and after a highly-anticipated showdown at Falmouth was postponed Friday (it will be made up as part of a doubleheader May 23 at The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach with 7 and 9 p.m. start times), the Rangers went wild at York Monday afternoon, setting records in a 25-2 five-inning victory to improve to 6-1 and second to Poland, to lone team to vanquish them, in the Western Class B Heal Points standings. Against the Clippers, Will Bryant was dominant early, but faltered and the Rangers had to rally. Patrick O’Shea delivered a game-winning single in the bottom of the seventh.

“I just wanted to get the bat on the ball and make up for the last time when (I lined into an inning-ending double play),” said O’Shea. “I got my feet set and hit it pretty good. It felt good.”

“It was a tough battle,” Bryant said. “We battled hard and got the win, but they’re a very good team. It’s a great rivalry.”

“I thought it was great to have a close game and give these guys experience in a big game and let them work through the pressure,” added Greely coach Derek Soule.

Against York, as the Rangers avenged last year’s playoff loss, O’Shea homered three times, including a grand slam, and drove in nine runs, tying a record for homers in a game and setting a new record for RBI in a contest (breaking Mark Curneil’s milestone, set in 1975). Two of those blasts came in the first inning, which tied another record. Michael McDevitt and Joe Saffian also hit grand slams, as the three bases full blasts in one game set a record, as did 13 first inning hits. A record was tied as well with 15 first inning runs. Greely hosted Cape Elizabeth Wednesday, goes to Freeport Friday and plays at Fryeburg Monday of next week.

Yarmouth wasn’t able to finish the job at Greely, but Jordan Brown had a strong effort on the mound.

“Jordan has at times, been absolutely untouchable this spring,” Clippers coach Marc Halsted said. “He wasn’t perfect today, but he emptied the tank for us. He made big pitches in big spots. That’s Jordan Brown.”

Yarmouth snapped a two-game slide and improved to 5-2 (and 10th in the Heals) Monday with a 14-3 five inning home win over Lake Region. Cody Cook had three hits and scored three times, Connor Lainey added a pair of hits and Luke Klenda earned the win on the mound. The Clippers were home with Poland Wednesday, go to Wells Friday and play host to Old Orchard Beach Monday of next week.

Freeport was 2-5 and 12th at press time. Last Wednesday, the Falcons lost to visiting Cape Elizabeth (6-4), but Friday, they got in the win column for the first time, 5-3, at Poland. In the victory, Peter Lamagna had three hits, including a triple, scored twice and drove in two runs. Ben Humphrey also had two hits and two RBI. Caleb Rice earned the win. Monday, at Fryeburg, Freeport prevailed, 13-0. Nathaniel Cyr and Jack Davenport combined to throw a one-hitter and the offense was paced by three doubles and three RBI from Davenport and three hits and three RBI from Lamagna. Nike Difazio also had two hits, stole four bases and scored four times. The Falcons were home against Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday, host Greely Friday and welcome Kennebunk Monday of next week.

In Western A, Falmouth suffered its first loss, 2-0, at Gray-New Gloucester last Wednesday (Connor Aube did have a pair of hits). After Friday’s home tilt versus Greely was postponed, the Yachtsmen fell to 4-2 Monday after a 7-5 loss at Kennebunk. Will D’Agostino homered and Aube and Connor MacDowell had multiple hits, but it wasn’t enough. Falmouth (ninth in the Heals) was at Lake Region Wednesday, welcomes Wells Thursday, hosts Kennebunk Saturday and plays at Wells Monday of next week.

In Western C, North Yarmouth Academy keeps getting closer to its first win. Last week, the Panthers dropped competitive 12-6 home decisions to Traip and Waynflete. Haven Cutko had two hits in the loss to the Rangers. NYA (0-5 and 10th in the Heals) was at Traip Wednesday, goes to Old Orchard Beach Thursday and visits Waynflete Saturday.

Softball

Falmouth’s softball team has blasted its way to the forefront. Last week, the Yachtsmen won at Gray-New Gloucester (7-1), then handed visiting Greely its first loss (11-7). Against the Rangers, Falmouth erupted for eight third inning runs and held on behind Amanda Carver’s relief pitching. Krysia Lesniak and Maddie Rouhana had multiple hits. Monday, the Yachtsmen improved to 6-1 and fourth in the Western A Heals after an 11-7 win at Kennebunk. Falmouth was at Lake Region Wednesday, welcomes Wells Thursday, hosts Kennebunk Saturday and plays at Wells Monday of next week.

Prior to its first loss, Greely rallied past visiting Yarmouth, 5-4, scoring four times in the fifth, as Miranda Moore earned the win and Kayley Cimino and Elyse Dinan had multiple hits. Dinan had four hits, including a pair of triples, versus Falmouth in the setback. Monday, the Rangers improved to 7-1 and third in Western B with an 8-1 win at York. Moore homered, Lexi Faietta earned the win and Cimino and Moira Train had multiple hits. Greely hosted Cape Elizabeth in a pivotal showdown Wednesday and plays at Fryeburg Monday of next week.

Yarmouth had won four of five heading into the week. The Clippers got a pair of hits from Melissa Levinson in a 5-4 loss at Greely, but bounced back to handle host Sacopee, 5-0. Mari Cooper threw a one-hit shutout and delivered two hits on offense. Eleanor O’Gorman and Monica Austin both drove in two runs. Monday, they couldn’t hold an early 4-0 lead and lost at home to Lake Region, 6-4, despite Cat Thompson’s three-run triple. Yarmouth (4-4 and ninth in Western B) was home with Poland Wednesday, goes to Wells Friday, then welcomes Sacopee Monday of next week

Freeport fell to 1-6 and 14th after recent losses to visiting Cape Elizabeth (10-1), host Poland (12-0, in five innings) and at Fryeburg (9-3). Jess Perry had a double against the Capers. The Falcons were home against Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday, host Greely Friday and welcome Kennebunk Monday of next week.

Boys’ lacrosse

Falmouth’s boys’ lacrosse team finally got tested Saturday at Cheverus. After beating their first four foes by a combined 60-12 margin, including a 16-2 home romp over Fryeburg and a 17-4 victory at Freeport, the Yachtsmen were pushed by the Stags, but managed to hold on, 12-10. Joe Dancoes and IV Stucker both had four goals against the Falcons and CJ Leighton had eight assists. Against the Stags, Stucker scored four goals and Tyler Jordan added three. Falmouth (5-0 and second in the latest Western B Heals) went to rival Cape Elizabeth, the defending Class B state champion, for a regional final rematch Tuesday night (see theforecaster.net for game story), hosts four-time defending Class A champion Scarborough Saturday, then visits reigning Eastern B champion Yarmouth Tuesday of next week.

Elsewhere in Western B, Greely improved to 4-1 and third in the standings after beating host York (13-3) and holding off visiting Thornton Academy (7-6). Mitch Mullin had four goals against the Wildcats and three more versus the Golden Trojans. Greely was at Kennebunk Tuesday, plays at Messalonskee Saturday and hosts Cape Elizabeth Tuesday of next week.

In Eastern B, Yarmouth, the reigning regional champion, crushed visiting Lake Region, 21-1, last Wednesday, behind three goals from Bill Jacobs. Saturday’s game at Brunswick was rained out and moved to Monday, where the Clippers held on for a thrilling 7-6 win. Max Watson had four goals, Bill Jacobs scored twice and goalie Connor Hoehle made 13 clutch saves.

“Our team is tough,” said Watson. “We’re resilient. Even when things do break down and we’re playing a great team like Brunswick, we hang in there.”

“It got scary at the end,” said Clippers defensive standout Thomas Lord, who had a team-high seven ground balls. “They hit some pipes, which helped us. We made some mental mistakes, but we kind of grinded it out and held on for dear life. Connor made some key saves. It was fun lacrosse.”

“I’m proud of the guys,” said Pearl. “(Brunswick’s) a great team. A relentless team. They played all 48 minutes and some. They were inspired. They were on their homefield. Undefeated. They’re hungry to get back to the top, just like us. They really wanted it. They gave us everything we could handle.”

After playing at NYA Tuesday, Yarmouth (4-1 and first in Eastern B) welcomes undefeated Western A power South Portland Friday and plays host to Falmouth Tuesday of next week.

NYA suffered a 6-4 loss at Waynflete last Tuesday, then got its first win in five tries, 16-0, over visiting Wells. Wes Bright scored twice in the setback. In the victory, Jake Rasch had four goals and Colton Ackerman and Trevor Lachance both scored three times. The Panthers (10th in the Heals) were home against rival Yarmouth Tuesday, play at Gardiner Friday and welcome Kennebunk Wednesday of next week.

Freeport has already surpassed last year’s win total. After falling at Kennebunk, 17-2, and at home to Falmouth, 17-4, the Falcons improved to 4-2 Saturday with a dramatic 8-7 double overtime win over Camden Hills in a game played at Bowdoin College. Sam Wogan scored three times against the Yachtsmen. Wogan had three more against the Windjammers and set up Perrin Davidson for the winner. Freeport (fifth in Eastern B) was home against Waynflete Tuesday, plays at Gorham Saturday and welcomes York Tuesday of next week.

Girls’ lacrosse

Yarmouth’s girls’ lacrosse team remained red-hot, winners of four in a row and after a season-opening loss and sat first in Eastern Class B heading into a showdown and possible state championship game preview at Kennebunk Wednesday. Last Wednesday, the Clippers rolled at Gould Academy, 18-5, behind five goals from Grace O’Donnell and three apiece from Molly Maguire and Ellie Teare. Yarmouth remains on the road and goes to Cape Elizabeth Tuesday of next week.

Freeport is second to Yarmouth in Eastern B after a rare win at Falmouth last week. The Falcons never trailed, got two goals apiece from Courtney Broderick, Meredith Broderick, Emily Johnson and Lizzy Martin and held on to prevail, 8-7, thanks in large part to 17 clutch saves from standout senior goalie Molly Lane.

“It’s so exciting,” said Lane. “We needed to prove ourselves and this is a good team to prove ourselves against.”

“We got fired up today,” Johnson said. “We did a good job of being patient. I think we did a good job of staying calm and playing smart.”

“I never feel safe,” coach Karin Kurry added. “I knew how good they are. This is a big step.”

The Falcons (4-1) went to Fryeburg Tuesday, host Gardiner Saturday and play at York Wednesday of next week.

NYA is now 2-4 on the year (seventh in Eastern B) after splitting two games last week. The Panthers, lost, 18-11, at Kennebunk, despite Olivia Madore’s four goals, then won a crossover game at Mt. Ararat Saturday, 6-3, as Alex Wahlstrom scored three times and Mary Noyes added a pair of goals. NYA hosts McAuley Friday and welcomes Gould Tuesday of next week.

Falmouth continues to take one step forward and one step back. Last week, the Yachtsmen, who were coming off a win at Waynflete, lost at home to Freeport, 8-7, despite two goals from Julia Spugnardi.

“It was definitely a letdown,” Falmouth first-year coach Kait Johnson said. “We dug a hole early.”

The Yachtsmen then got five goals from Sabrina Smithwick and a dozen saves from goalie Sarah Hutcheon in an 8-6 win at Thornton Academy Friday to even their record at 2-2 (good for fourth in the Western B Heals). After hosting Greely Wednesday, Falmouth welcomes Gorham Saturday and plays host to Kennebunk Tuesday of next week.

Greely evened its record at 2-2 last Wednesday with a 10-9 overtime home win over York. Jocelyn Mitiguy had the winning goal and Krystyna Rybka made 15 saves. After going to Falmouth Wednesday, the Rangers (fifth in Western B) host Massabesic Friday and visit Gardiner Monday of next week.

Outdoor track

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

Greely hosted Fryeburg, Poland and York. The girls came in second and the boys were fourth. Rangers girls’ event winners included Hannah Keisman in the 100 (13.77 seconds), Siana Emery in the racewalk (9 minutes, 21.12 seconds) and Jamie Keisman in the triple jump (30 feet, 1 inch).

Yarmouth hosted NYA, Old Orchard Beach and Sacopee.

In the boys’ meet, won by Sacopee, the Clippers were second and the Panthers came in third. Yarmouth got wins from Sam Gerken in the 800 (2:15.78) and the mile (4:54.37), Ben Decker in the two-mile (9:47.17) and Darren Shi in the shot put (45-9.5). NYA winners included Michael McIntosh in the 100 (11.73), Xander Bartone in the 200 (24.26) and the 400 relay team (46.61).

In the girls’ competition, won by the Panthers with the Clippers third, NYA event winners included Hannah Austin in the mile (5:42.75), Lindsay Tufts in the 200 (32.54), Jillian Bjorn-Caron in the 300 hurdles (55.67), Muriel Adams in the discus (104-9), Sonia Lin in the long jump (14-7), Linnea Hull in the pole vault (7-0) and the 400 (58.42) and 3,200 (11:26.65) relay teams. Yarmouth got wins from Emma Egan in the 100 (13.55) and the high jump (5-0), Molly Walsh in the 100 hurdles (19.38), Marina Hernandez in the 400 (1:16.65) and the 1,600 relay (5:19.58).

Falmouth hosted Gray-New Gloucester, Lake Region and Traip.

The boys were first and got wins from Adam Gardner in the 110 hurdles (19.82), Scott Lambert in the mile (4:48.38) and two-mile (10:58.61), Andy Clement in the 200 (24.02) and 300 hurdles (42.96), Tony St. Angelo in the high jump (5-8) and long jump (19-8.5), Aaron Thomas in the pole vault (9-6), Matt Edmonds in the shot put (40-5), Nick Burton in the triple jump (38-9) and the 400 (46.27), 1,600 (3:46.49) and 3,200 (9:32.35) relays.

The girls also came in first and got first-place performances from Adelaide Cooke in the discus (96-8), Mira Wyman in the 400 (1:03.81), Madeline Roberts in the mile (5:29.59) and two-mile (12:03.30), Kaleigh Wimert in the racewalk (8:48.76) and the 1,600 (4:34.47) and 3,200 (11:26.45) relays.

Freeport joined Kennebunk, Waynflete and Wells at Cape Elizabeth. The boys finished fourth and got a win from Luke Spaulding in the racewalk (8:34.19). The girls came in fourth and got victories from Lucy Zachau in the racewalk (9:49.92), Bethanie Knighton in the 400 (1:02.97) and the 1,600 relay team (4:26.99).

Tennis

Falmouth’s girls’ tennis squad was nearing a milestone at press time. The six-time defending Class B state champions hosted Cape Elizabeth in Breast Cancer Awareness match and if victorious would have won 100 consecutive match victories (the last loss came May 2, 2008, a 3-2 home setback to Waynflete). The Yachtsmen improved to 6-0 on the 2014 season with recent wins 5-0 wins over Freeport, Lake Region and Greely. Falmouth (which will play in Class A in the upcoming postseason due to higher enrollment numbers) was first in the Western A Heals at press time.

Elsewhere, Greely sits atop Western B with a 7-1 mark following Monday’s 4-1 home win over Yarmouth. The Clippers fell to 3-4 and ninth. Freeport was seventh at 2-5 after a 5-0 home loss to Cape Elizabeth Monday. In Western C, NYA was fourth at 5-2 after Monday’s 5-0 win at Kennebunk.

On the boys’ side, Falmouth was first in Western A with a 6-0 mark heading into Tuesday’s match at defending Class B champion Cape Elizabeth. In Western B, Yarmouth has won four in a row and improved to 4-1 and third in the standings after Monday’s 3-2 home win over Greely, which fell to 2-5 and eighth. Freeport sat sixth at 2-4 at press time after a 4-1 loss at Cape Elizabeth Monday. In Western C, NYA was 10th at 3-3 after ending a three-match skid Monday with a 3-2 win over Kennebunk.

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