The spring sports season feels like it just started (and if you were outside last week, you’re still waiting for spring weather), but in truth, the short campaign is already halfway completed for some teams and will reach its midway point for others in the days to come.

There has already been a lot of excitement, with more in store.

Here’s a glimpse of what occurred last week and what’s on tap.

Baseball

Scarborough’s baseball team continues to benefit from the wisdom of first-year coach Mike D’Andrea and the Red Storm have been the feel-good story of the first half of the season. Scarborough stayed undefeated last Friday with a 4-3, 11-inning win at Biddeford, then suffered its first loss, 3-1, to visiting Bonny Eagle Saturday. Against the Tigers, Bayley Welsh drove in Josh Reed with the winning run and Taylor Cookson got the win in relief. Reed allowed just three runs in nine innings and also had a pair of hits. Mitchell Wedge was the tough-luck loser against the Scots, allowing just one earned one. Morgan Pratt had an RBI single. Tuesday, the Red Storm improved to 6-1 with a 7-1 win at Deering, D’Andrea’s old team. Reed had three hits and three RBI, including a two-run triple in a six-run second inning, and he didn’t allow an earned run in six innings as he improved to 2-0. 

“That set up the game well, getting runs on the board,” Reed said. “We just had to shut them down on defense. We just put the bat on the ball, put it in play and made them defend. I love hitting (at Hadlock Field).”

“We feel fortunate because these games could have gone either way,” D’Andrea said. “I have to give credit to the kids. We’ve played solid defense with the exception of one inning.” 

Scarborough was home with Massabesic Thursday (see theforecaster.net for game story), goes to defending Western A champion South Portland Saturday, hosts Cheverus Monday and visits Westbrook Thursday of next week.

“It’s mandatory we become better by the end of the year,” D’Andrea said. “We try to coach every pitch, every inning. They’re starting to figure it out. It’s a good group of kids. They want the instruction and intensity. Winning helps. We have a lot of seniors and this is what they want.”

South Portland bounced back from its lone loss by beating visiting Gorham (7-1), outlasting host Cheverus, 1-0, in an eight-inning thriller, and romping at Massabesic, 16-4, in six-innings. Griffin Kelley threw a six-hitter in the win over the Rams and Drew Abramson, Matt Crockett, Riley Hasson and Sam Troiano all had two hits. Abramson went the distance and threw a four-hitter against the Stags and an unearned run proved to be the distance. In the win over the Mustangs, Sam Troiano had a bases clearing triple and Alex Livingston had a key two-run hit. The 7-1 Red Riots were home with Deering Thursday, welcome Scarborough Saturday, play at Noble Tuesday and host Marshwood Thursday of next week.

Cape Elizabeth took a 6-1 record into Wednesday’s home showdown/regional final rematch versus two-time defending state champion and top-ranked Greely. The Capers were coming off wins at Freeport (10-0), Fryeburg Academy (6-2) and Gray-New Gloucester (3-1). Bryce Hewitt earned the victory against the Raiders, as Marshall Peterson had two hits and Pat Macdonald drove in a pair of runs. In the win over the Patriots, Nate Ingalls allowed just five hits in picking up the victory. Peterson had two hits and scored twice and Macdonald and Brendan Tinsman had two hits apiece. Cape Elizabeth is home with Lake Region Friday and hosts Poland Monday. Wednesday, the Capers visit Wells.

In Class D South, Greater Portland Christian School was 0-4 at press time following a 17-6 loss at Rangeley Monday. The Lions play a doubleheader at Vinalhaven Tuesday.

Softball

Scarborough’s softball team remains unstoppable and gave longtime coach Tom Griffin his 400th career victory Tuesday (see story). The Red Storm’s recent triumphs at Gorham (15-0) and Portland (14-2) extended their regular season win streak to 48 and improved their record to 7-0. Lilly Volk threw a three-hitter against the Rams, as Maggie Murphy had four hits and three RBI and Kaleigh Scoville, homered, had three hits and drove in four runs. Abbie Murrell threw a three-hitter at the Bulldogs, striking out 15. Murphy and Chloe Gorey each had three hits. Scarborough was home with South Portland Wednesday, welcomes McAuley Friday, plays at Noble Monday and hosts Marshwood Thursday of next week.

South Portland was 1-7 after its skid hit six games, including losses at Bonny Eagle (7-3), at home to Portland (10-4) and at Thornton Academy (11-4). Miranda Gleason had a pair of hits against the Scots. In the loss to the Bulldogs, the Red Riots’ first to Portland in 11 years, Stephanie Aceto and Madison Houlette both had two hits. South Portland took a 4-2 lead to the fifth against the Golden Trojans, but gave up eight runs. The Red Riots were at Scarborough Wednesday, host Sanford Friday and Deering Monday and go to Westbrook Wednesday.

Cape Elizabeth continues to be the feel-good story in Class B South. The Capers stretched their win streak to six with recent victories at Freeport (13-3), Fryeburg (3-0) and Gray-New Gloucester (13-9, in a 10-inning marathon). Sam Feenstra had four hits and Tess Haller three in the win over the Falcons. Jessie Robicheaw threw a two-hit gem against the Raiders, fanning nine. She also paced the offense with a two-run double. Cape Elizabeth twice let the Patriots rally to tie Monday, but Anna Torre’s bases clearing double in the 10th proved to be enough to allow the Capers to prevail. The Capers (7-1) had a home showdown against rival Greely Wednesday, welcome Lake Region Friday and Poland Monday.

Boys’ lacrosse

Cape Elizabeth’s three-time defending Class B champion boys’ lacrosse team got a couple of scares last week, but remained undefeated heading into Wednesday night’s home showdown against rival Falmouth (see theforecaster.net for game story). Last week, the Capers improved to 5-0 after holding off host Kennebunk, 10-9, and erupting in the second half to win at Greely, 12-6. At Greely, Cape Elizabeth fell behind, 3-2, after one quarter and 4-2 early in the second, but rallied to make it 5-5 at halftime. Five second half goals from Tate Perkins and a pair from Owen Thoreck helped open it up. The Capers go to two-time defending Western A champion South Portland for a crossover game Saturday, then visit Wells Tuesday. 

In Class A South, Scarborough improved to 6-2 after a 13-1 win at Portland and an 18-10 home victory over Deering. Marc Guerette scored five times and Marco Manfra added four goals against the Rams. The Red Storm host three-time defending Eastern B champion Yarmouth in a crossover showdown Saturday (see theforecaster.net for game story) and go to Cheverus for a possible state championship game preview Tuesday.

South Portland fell at home to Cheverus last Wednesday, 11-4, despite three goals from Jack Fiorini.

“We came out flat, but we settled in and started to click a little bit,” Red Riots coach Tom Fiorini said. “Our defense was better tonight. We forced (Cheverus) to take the shots we wanted them to take, but tonight, our offense didn’t show up. We can’t put a complete game together. That comes with starting five freshmen.”

Last Friday, the Red Riots improved to 2-3 after a 25-2 home victory over Marshwood. Jack Fiorini had eight goals and four assists, setting a new program record for points in a game. David Fiorini added three goals and two assists. South Portland was at Westbrook Wednesday, hosts Cape Elizabeth Saturday and welcomes Thornton Academy in a regional final rematch Tuesday.  

Girls’ lacrosse

South Portland’s girls’ lacrosse team has erupted to life in dramatic fashion. Last week, the Red Riots stunned visiting Scarborough, 12-11, their first win over the Red Storm since 2004, as Mary Cronin scored six goals and Maddie Hasson added four.

“Oh, what a game!” said South Portland coach Leslie Dyer. “I believe we’ll finish the year strong.”

The Red Riots then extended their win streak to four games and improved to 4-2 by holding off Bonny Eagle (12-11) and rolling at Sanford (17-6). Hasson scored seven times, including the winner in the final minute, in the back-and-forth thriller against the Scots. Cronin had six goals and Hasson added four more against the Spartans. South Portland was at Portland Thursday, hosts dangerous York in a crossover tilt Saturday and plays host to Deering Tuesday.

Scarborough has hit a rough stretch. The Red Storm’s skid hit four games after a 12-11 loss at South Portland and a 10-5 home setback to Gorham. Abby Corbin scored five times against the Red Riots. Scarborough (2-4) went to Thornton Academy Thursday, then hosts two-time defending Class B champion Yarmouth in a crossover Saturday. After hosting Massabesic Monday, the Red Storm visit defending Class A champion Marshwood in a regional final rematch Thursday of next week.

In Class B South, Cape Elizabeth fell to 1-5 after recent losses at Greely (17-6) and at home to Falmouth (17-8) and Massabesic (11-2). Susie Graham scored twice against the Rangers. Against the Yachtsmen, Graham had three goals and Mariah Deschino scored twice.

Outdoor track

Scarborough joined Marshwood and Westbrook for an outdoor track meet at Noble last week. 

The Red Storm boys were first and got wins from Sam Rusak in the 400 (51.69 seconds), Andrew Sholl in the 800 (2 minutes, 00.29 seconds), Conner Doherty in the mile (4:40.59), Sawyer Hebert in the triple jump (37 feet-2 inches), Seabastian Osborne in the shot put (47-1) and their 4×100 (46.09) and 4×400 (3:39.23) relay teams. Scarborough’s girls were second to Noble and got first-place showings from Gaby Panagakos in the 200 (28.30) and 400 (1:02.05), Laura Volan in the mile (5:30.70), Elizabeth Gentile in the discus (101-2), Natalie Taylor in the javelin (83-2) and their 4×800 relay (10:40.17).

Scarborough’s girls then took part in a four-team meet at Portland Tuesday and placed first, getting wins from Caitlin McCaffrey in the 100 (13.54), Panagakos in the 400 (1:02.50), Bethany Sholl in the 800 (2:35.18) and mile (5:32.25), Volan in the two-mile (12:13.77), Ellen Shaw in the 100 hurdles (16.73), Gentile in the discus (109-10), Taylor in the javelin (87-8), Erin Ryan in the shot put (29-2) and their 4×400 (4:30.45) and 4×800 (10:54.63) relays.

South Portland’s boys were second to host Thornton Academy at a four-team meet last week. The Red Riots got wins from Noah Blake in the 100 (12.22), Jake Maloney in the 800 (2:08.73), Xander Keiter in the two-mile (10:52.86), Steven Smith in the racewalk (7:34.57) and Danny Guiliani in the shot put (67-11.5) and the discus (154-10).

South Portland’s girls were second to Noble at a four-team meet in Biddeford Tuesday. First-place finishers included Juliana Selser in the 100 (13.84) and 800 (2:21.37), Callie O’Brien in the high jump (4-10) and long jump (15-6), Lingdong Bol in the triple jump (31-6.25), Erica Magnuson in the discus (82-8), Abby Donahue in the racewalk (8:54.50) and the Red Riots’ 4×100 (53.84) and 4×400 (4:34.70) relay teams.

Scarborough’s girls placed third and South Portland was fourth in the Scarborough Relays.

Cape Elizabeth’s boys came in fourth and the girls were fifth in a six-team meet at Traip Academy. The boys got wins from Matthew Concannon in the 100 (12.01) and 200 (24.10). Liv Palma won the girls’ two-mile (12:12.18) and 

Tennis

Cape Elizabeth’s three-time defending Class B state champion boys’ tennis team had won four straight matches at press time, capped by a 4-1 victory over NYA Monday to improve to 6-1. The Capers host eight-time defending Class C champion Waynflete Friday. Cape Elizabeth’s girls were 4-2. The Capers dropped a 3-2 decision to the Clippers last week, then beat Kennebunk and NYA by 4-1 scores. Cape Elizabeth visits two-time defending Class B champion Greely Wednesday.

In Class A South, Scarborough’s boys were 5-2 after a 5-0 win at Biddeford. The Red Storm girls were first in the Heals after downing Thornton Academy, 4-1, and Biddeford and Sanford by 5-0 margins to improve to 7-0. 

South Portland’s boys were 4-3 after recent 5-0 wins over Massabesic, Marshwood and Sanford. The Red Riots girls were 2-4 following recent wins over Massabesic (3-2) and Marshwood (4-1). 

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

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Scarborough’s Nick Lorello lines a bat hit during the Red Storm’s 7-1 win at Deering Tuesday night.

South Portland freshman Cooper Mehlhorn protects the ball during last week’s 11-4 loss to Cheverus.