(Ed. Note: For the full Waynflete-Yarmouth girls’ lacrosse game story, please visit theforecaster.net)

The middle of May is upon us and that means the 2010 spring sports season is roughly at its halfway point.

So far, so good has been the theme for local teams and there’s plenty more excitement ahead. Here’s a glimpse at where things stand:

Baseball

While Deering and Portland’s baseball teams were renewing their ancient rivalry (please see story) and Cheverus continued to steal headlines (please see story), Waynflete was getting in the win column last week.

The Flyers improved to 1-2 on the year with a 4-2 home victory over Sacopee, as senior Alex Hadiaris scattered six hits to earn the win and freshman Charlie Laprade had three hits and drove in a pair. Waynflete was back in action Monday, at Old Orchard Beach. Saturday, the Flyers host Sacopee and Monday of next week, they welcome Old Orchard.

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Softball

As McAuley’s softball team continues to be the 2010 surprise team (please see story), Cheverus is hitting its stride. The Stags, one of the preseason favorites, who lost two of their first three outings, took a four-game win streak into the week after trouncing Westbrook (19-4, in six innings), Windham (12-0, in five) and Noble (9-1) last week.

Against the Blue Blazes, senior Theresa Hendrix homered, had four hits, scored five times and earned the win, while senior Audrey Grinnell had three hits, including two triples and a double. In the win over the Eagles, Hendrix, for the third time this year, led off the game with a home run. She had three hits, three RBI, scored four runs and pitched a one-hitter. Senior Anna Snook added four hits and Grinnell went deep.

Against the Knights, Hendrix threw a three-hitter, fanned 14 and had two hits. Senior Maggie Grindatti doubled and junior Jasmyn Welch and freshman Staci Swallow added two hits apiece.

Cheverus was home with Marshwood Monday, goes to Gorham Wednesday, hosts Massabesic Friday and plays at Thornton Academy next Monday. Two days later, the Stags host defending state champion Scarborough.

Deering took a 2-5 mark into Monday’s game at Kennebunk. The Rams enjoyed a 9-8 home victory over Bonny Eagle last Monday (rallying from an 8-3 deficit, behind home runs from senior Annalisa Ferrante and junior Jen Lynch and three hits from senior Fiona Densmore), then lost 13-1 (in five innings) at McAuley and 11-7 at home to Sanford.

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Deering is home against Westbrook Friday and plays at Windham Monday of next week.

Portland is still seeking its first win, but the Bulldogs have come close.

Last week, Portland lost 10-8 at Noble, 7-6 (in eight innings) to visiting Marshwood and 8-1 at Gorham to fall to 0-7 on the year.

Against the Knights, freshman Leeann Reichert had four hits, including a home run, and scored four runs. Senior Maggie Kilbride had two doubles in the loss to the Hawks, a game that saw the Bulldogs force extra innings with two runs in the bottom of the seventh, then have a chance to win in the eighth before falling just short.

Portland was home with Massabesic Monday, goes to Thornton Academy Wednesday, welcomes Scarborough Saturday and plays at Biddeford next Monday.

Boys’ lacrosse

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The Portland boys’ lacrosse team is still unbeaten. Barely.

After rolling 19-6 at Marshwood last Wednesday (where promising freshman Max Pierter erupted for seven goals), the Bulldogs had a showdown at Lewiston Saturday in a possible playoff preview. Portland was in deep trouble in the third period, down 10-7, but the Bulldogs shut out the Blue Devils the rest of way and got the game’s final five goals to win, 12-10

Junior Caleb Kenney had four goals (including the game winner with 3:50 to go) and five assists. Senior Jason Knight had two clutch goals in the fourth quarter. Pierter and junior Bronson Guimond also scored twice. Sophomore Ryan Jurgelevich made 15 saves.

“That was a great test for us,” said Bulldogs coach Eric Begonia. “(Lewiston’s) a tough, physical team. A Saturday morning game, a different surface, a different team that we haven’t played since 2005. I’m sure that all played into it.

“It was a very good game. Obviously, we came out on the nice end outcome-wise. I’m glad to see what we’re made of. They pressed us early. They had the lead almost the entire game.”

Portland (third in the latest coaches’ poll) was at Biddeford Tuesday and hosts Messalonskee Saturday.

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Deering is 3-2 on the season after last Wednesday’s 9-2 home victory over Westbrook. Senior Riley Asbury scored four times and classmate Jackson Sewall added a pair of goals, while sophomore Karl Rickett dominated in the faceoff circle.

The Rams were supposed to play at Cony Saturday, but the game was rained out and will be rescheduled for a later date. Deering is home with Kennebunk Wednesday and welcomes Morse Saturday.

“This week will really tell for us,” said Rams coach Bob Rothbart. “Sometimes the kids do great, sometimes we do a lot wrong. If we can do all right against Kennebunk and Morse, it would help us get some (Heal Points).”

Cheverus is now 4-3 after splitting games last week. First, the Stags downed visiting Bonny Eagle, 7-6, in overtime (senior Stefano Caiazzo had the winner, sophomore Peter Dyche scored four times and senior Sean Oddy had 14 saves). Friday, however, Cheverus fell to visiting Messalonskee, 10-7.  The Stags were at Westbrook Tuesday and host two-time defending Class B champion Yarmouth Saturday.

Waynflete lost two of its first three, including a 16-12 setback at Greely last Monday night after letting a 6-2 first period lead slip away, but the Flyers bounced back with wins over visiting Fryeburg (18-2) and Westbrook (12-3) to improve to 3-2.

Sophomore Chris Burke had four goals against the Raiders. Senior Miles Beaven added three, senior Jay Witte added two with four assists and classmate Josiah Baker-Connich had two goals and one assist. Burke erupted for six goals and freshman Zander Majercik added five against the Blue Blazes.

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The Flyers had a very tough challenge Tuesday night when they went to Yarmouth. Thursday, they’re at Lake Region and Saturday, they travel to Camden.

“We’re doing pretty well,” said Waynflete coach Bob Johnson. “We’re playing some good games and some not so good games. The schedule is wacko. It’s hard to come off easy games and play a hard one. We’re not worried about where we’re going to be in the end. We’re getting things  wound up by the end of the season.”

Girls’ lacrosse

On the girls’ side, last week was a banner week for two-time defending Class B champion Waynflete. After beating Freeport Monday, 17-6, to give coach Cathie Connors her 200th career victory, the Flyers hosted undefeated Yarmouth Thursday in a showdown of top powers. Despite dominating the first half, Waynflete only led 4-3 at halftime and found itself down 5-4 early in the second half. The Flyers rallied, took the lead for good on a goal from senior standout Morgan Woodhouse, then added another Woodhouse goal and got a clutch save from freshman goalie Katherine Torrey to hold on for an 8-6 triumph.

“I knew I had to step it up,” said Woodhouse (who had a game-high four goals and helped Waynflete win 12 of 16 draws). “Cathie always motivates us so well. Sometimes you have to play the running game and go right to goal and that’s what I did.”

“I tried to stay calm, but sometimes it’s really nervewracking,” said Torrey. “I always try to follow the ball and I really kept my eye on the ball. I knew it would be big. It turned out really well. It was pretty big for us. I think it really builds our confidence.”

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“I feel like things are coming along,” added Connors. “It’s a young team. I’m actually really pleased. They’re really fighting for it. I’m proud of them. Yarmouth’s a nice team to play. This is big for confidence.”

The Flyers (3-1) were supposed to go to Kennebunk Saturday for a crossover contest, but that game was rained out (to be made up at a late date). Waynflete visited Cape Elizabeth Monday, goes to Falmouth Wednesday and returns home Saturday against Cheverus.

Speaking of the Stags, they entered the week on a four-game winning streak. Last week, Cheverus defeated visiting Portland (12-8), host Deering (12-8) and visiting Messalonskee (13-4).

Against the Bulldogs, senior Grace Fitzpatrick scored four times. Fitzpatrick, along with classmates Bri Amato and Emily Van Duzer, had four goals versus the Rams. Against the Eagles, Amato led the way with three goals. The Stags were at Marshwood Tuesday, host sizzling Scarborough Thursday, play at Waynflete Saturday, then visit Windham next Tuesday.

Deering got in the win column Saturday, 7-6, at Lewiston. The Rams had fallen, 16-3, at Scarborough (sophomore Veronica Mitchell had two goals in defeat) and at home to Cheverus (despite 27 saves from senior goalie Julie Pallozzi).

In the victory, Mitchell had two goals, as did senior Lindsay Dearborn, including the game-winner. Pallozzi stopped 13 shots.

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Deering (1-3-1) was home with Biddeford Tuesday, plays at Westbrook Thursday, hosts Gardiner Friday, then welcomes Portland next Tuesday.

McAuley lost its first three outings, including a 14-6 loss at South Portland last Wednesday (despite three goals from senior Olivia Locke), but defeated visiting Biddeford, 12-5, Thursday (Locke and junior Tori Tenenbaum both had four goals) to improve to 1-3.

The Lions were at Edward Little Monday, hosted Windham Tuesday, welcome Noble Thursday and Biddeford Monday of next week.

Portland fell to 1-2 last Monday after a 12-8 loss at Cheverus (senior standout Nancy McAdam did score four times), but bounced back to win at Windham (9-6, behind four McAdam goals) and Gardiner (9-7) to improve to 3-2.

The Bulldogs were home against Bonny Eagle Tuesday, play at Thornton Academy Thursday, welcome Camden Saturday and visit Deering next Tuesday.

Track

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Local track teams took part in (or attempted to take part in) a rare joint Southern Maine Activities Association/Western Maine Conference meet last week. Deering and McAuley (along with Gray-New Gloucester) competed at Yarmouth. The Rams came in second in the girls’ race, while the Lions were third. Deering finished third in the boys’ competition.

Waynflete joined Biddeford and Thornton Academy at Greely, where the boys finished and girls both came in fourth. Cheverus was supposed to host Portland, Falmouth and Freeport, but that meet was cancelled by rain. Friday, at the Westbrook Relays, Cheverus’ boys came in third. City girls’ teams competed at the Scarborough Relays Friday. Team scores were unavailable.

Tennis

Several local tennis teams continue to dominate.

McAuley and Portland’s girls’ squads appear headed for a showdown in the regular season finale that could determine the top seed for the playoffs. The defending regional champion Bulldogs took a 5-0 mark into Monday’s home match with Gorham and have yet to drop a point.

The Lions, meanwhile, were also 5-0 heading into Monday’s showdown with Scarborough. McAuley won four its five matches by 5-0 scores. Cheverus won its first three matches, but cooled a bit last week with losses to Scarborough (3-2) and Gorham (4-1).

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The Stags play at Portland Wednesday.

Deering was 3-2 entering the week, sandwiching losses to Portland (5-0) and Scarborough (4-1) around a 5-0 home victory over Thornton Academy last week. The Rams go to McAuley Wednesday. In Western C, always-strong Waynflete is 4-1, losing only to defending champion NYA. The Flyers are at defending Class B champion Falmouth Wednesday.

On the boys’ side, defending Class C champ Waynflete entered the week 6-0, having won its last five matches by 5-0 scores. The Flyers host Class B power Falmouth Wednesday.

In Class A, Cheverus also entered the week perfect, quietly boasting a 5-0 mark. Last week, the Stags defeated Deering, 4-1, and Gorham, 5-0. Speaking of Deering, the Rams are 0-5. They sought their initial victory Monday at Westbrook. Thursday, they go to Portland. The Bulldogs are 1-3 after last week’s 4-1 home loss to Thornton Academy.

Portland goes to Cheverus Wednesday.

Qualifying for the state singles tournament begins Saturday.

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Sun Journal staff writer Kalle Oakes contributed to this story

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

Waynflete sophomore Abshir Horor runs toward a second-place finish in the mile during last week’s meet at Greely. The boys’ team came in fourth behind Thornton Academy, Biddeford and the hosts.

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Waynflete junior Abdisalan Mohamud competes in the high jump at last week’s meet at Greely.


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