The 2010 spring sports season is now underway for virtually every local team. In just a few short days, there has already been a ton of drama. Here’s a glimpse:

Baseball

Defending Class B champion Greely has ridden its offense to a 3-0 start, defeating host Lake Region (10-9, in eight innings), Gray-New Gloucester (10-1) and Poland (4-1). Against the Lakers, senior Ben Russell had the game winning hit. Senior Sam Thompson earned the win on the mound in his varsity debut versus Gray-New Gloucester. In the most recent triumph, over Poland, senior Dan O’Brion hurled the Rangers to victory, while senior Mark Dominick had a clutch, two-run double. Greely is home with York Friday and has a showdown at rival Cape Elizabeth Monday of next week.

Falmouth, which lost 4-2 at Cape Elizabeth in its opener, evened its record at 1-1 Monday with a 17-7 (six inning) mercy rule victory over visiting Wells. Junior Matt McDowell had a huge day, ripping four hits, including a double, triple and a home run that ended it. He hit for the cycle and drove in five runs. Senior Dillon Dresser earned the win. The Yachtsmen were at Freeport Wednesday, host Gray-New Gloucester Monday, then welcome Greely Wednesday.

Freeport is off to a promising start. The Falcons dropped their first game, 10-5 at York, but improved to 1-1 Monday with a dramatic 3-2 come-from-behind home win over Gray-New Gloucester on senior Kyle Moore’s clutch game-winning two-run single with his team one out from defeat. Junior Spencer Egan earned the victory. Freeport hosted Falmouth Wednesday, welcomes Yarmouth Saturday, then goes to Fryeburg Monday.

Yarmouth has ridden the strong right arm of senior Nick Whittaker and its potent bats to a 2-0 start. The Clippers opened with a 10-0 (five inning) home win over Fryeburg, as Whittaker earned the victory. Monday, they improved to 2-0, beating visiting Lake Region, 9-1, as Whittaker got the win and hit a two-run home run. Senior Travis Merrill added three hits, two steals and scored twice and junior Luke Pierce had a pair of hits, including a triple. Yarmouth was at Wells Wednesday, goes to Freeport Saturday and plays host to Poland Monday.

In Western C, North Yarmouth Academy got off to a great start Monday with a 15-3 (five inning) rout of host Sacopee. Junior Will Strabley had three hits and scored three times. Senior Sam Kurland added two triples and junior Dean Darien earned the win by allowing just two hits, while fanning 10. The Panthers hosted Old Orchard Beach Wednesday and go to Waynflete Friday.

Softball

Greely’s softball team is also off to a good start. The Rangers pummeled host Lake Region in their opener, 18-6 (in six innings), then improved to 2-0 Monday with a 14-2 (six inning) drubbing of visiting Poland. In that one, senior Mary Zambello dominated on the mound, while senior Marika Stayte had four RBI. Sophomores Caroline Hamilton and Katie Whittum had three hits and three runs scored apiece. Greely was at Old Orchard Beach Wednesday, hosts York Friday and goes to Cape Elizabeth on Monday.

Falmouth, which downed Cape Elizabeth 13-8 in its opener, fell to 1-1 Monday after a 5-3 loss to visiting Wells. Junior pitcher Sarah Collmus only allowed three hits, but the Yachtsmen could only manage one and made three errors. Falmouth was at Freeport Wednesday and hosts Gray-New Gloucester Monday.

Yarmouth, a 7-2 home loser to two-time defending Class B state champion Fryeburg in its opener, balanced its mark at 1-1 Monday with an impressive 5-0 home victory over Lake Region behind junior Abbie Hutchinson’s three-hit, 14-strikeout performance. Sophomore Suzanne Driscoll had three hits. The Clippers were at Wells Wednesday, visit Freeport Saturday and host Poland Monday.

Freeport is 0-2 after a 4-1 loss at York in the opener and a 12-1 loss at home to Gray-New Gloucester and its ace pitcher, Laura Getchell, Monday. The Falcons managed just one hit off Getchell, a double from junior Jess Kane. Freeport hosted Falmouth Wednesday, welcomes Yarmouth Saturday and goes to Fryeburg Monday.

Boys’ lacrosse

The two-time defending Class B state champion Yarmouth boys’ lacrosse team, an 11-5 home winner over NYA in its opener back on April 16, looked to improve to 2-0 Tuesday when it went to York. The Clippers then face back-to-back showdowns, at Falmouth Friday and at home versus Cape Elizabeth, in a state championship game rematch, Monday night.

Speaking of the Yachtsmen, they’re earning plenty of buzz after opening with a shocking 11-4 victory at Cape Elizabeth on April 16. Falmouth returned to action Tuesday at Waynflete. Friday’s home game against Yarmouth will be a great measuring stick. The start time for that one is 4:30 p.m.

Greely began its season on April 15 with an 11-2 win at Wells. The Rangers were back in action Tuesday when they hosted NYA. Friday brings a trip to Lake Region. Monday, Greely hosts Waynflete.

NYA dropped an 11-5 decision at Yarmouth to start the year, then played at Greely Tuesday night. Friday, the Panthers go to Cape Elizabeth.

Freeport opened its season Tuesday at home versus Cape Elizabeth. The Falcons go to Fryeburg Thursday.

Girls’ lacrosse

On the girls’ side, two-time defending Eastern B champion North Yarmouth Academy began its 2010 season with an 11-4 victory at Freeport on April 15. The Panthers’ slate got a lot tougher this week as they played at rival Yarmouth Wednesday night and will host nemesis and two-time defending state champion Waynflete Friday. Tuesday of next week, NYA welcomes Falmouth.

Yarmouth won its opener, but it wasn’t easy, a 13-11 decision at York, back on April 15. The Clippers hosted NYA Wednesday, go to Greely Friday and welcome Cape Elizabeth Monday.

Freeport looked to bounce back from its Opening Day loss Tuesday when it played at York. The Falcons host Wells Thursday and go to Waynflete next Tuesday.

Falmouth and Greely began their seasons this week.

The Yachtsmen went to Wells Tuesday. They host Cape Elizabeth Thursday and Fryeburg Saturday.

The Rangers began Wednesday at Waynflete. They host Yarmouth Friday and welcome York Tuesday.

Track

The outdoor track regular season begins Friday. Falmouth and Freeport, along with York, go to Sacopee. Greely and North Yarmouth Academy (along with Waynflete) compete at Traip. Yarmouth, along with Lake Region and Poland, goes to Wells.

Tennis

Local tennis teams squared off in season openers Monday.

On the boys’ side, Falmouth blanked Freeport, 5-0, while Greely dispatched NYA, 4-1. Yarmouth, the defending Class B state champion, lost 4-1 to York.

The powerhouse Falmouth girls, winners of the past two Class B titles and four of the past five, opened with a 5-0 triumph over Freeport. Yarmouth edged York, 3-2. Greely and NYA opened Tuesday.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net

Yarmouth senior pitching ace Nick Whittaker earned his second win of the year, allowing just one run in five innings. He also homered.

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Yarmouth senior Travis Merrill slides safely into second base with a steal during the first inning of his team’s 9-1 home victory over Lake Region Monday.