Greely’s Abby Taylor handles the ball during the Rangers’ 11-4 loss to Kennebunk Saturday.

(Ed. Note: For the complete Greely-Cape Elizabeth baseball, Yarmouth-Greely boys’ lacrosse and Greely-NYA and Greely-Kennebunk girls’ lacrosse game stories, see theforecaster.net)

The spring sports season has gotten off to a slow start for local teams, due to questionable weather and field conditions, but many squads have kicked off their 2019 campaign and early results have been promising.

Here’s a recap:

Baseball

Greely’s baseball team opened with a 9-2 “home” win over Fryeburg Academy in a game played at Old Orchard Beach. Nick Butler had four RBI, Jake MacDonald had two hits and scored three runs and Connor Sullivan earned the victory. Monday, the Rangers blanked host Cape Elizabeth, 8-0, in a playoff rematch, as Sullivan threw a five-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts. Jacob Whiting had a two-run double.

“The coaches really do a good job getting us ready,” said Sullivan. “It was really good to play today. It’s always a battle at Cape.”

“It’s a good group,” Rangers coach Derek Soule said. “They’re fun, they work hard, they have great attitudes. I’m looking forward to being out on the diamond for a couple months to come with this group of guys.”

Greely is at Yarmouth Wednesday, hosts Gray-New Gloucester Friday and travels to York Monday of next week.

Yarmouth split its first two games, losing, 7-1, at York, and beating visiting Gardiner, 4-1. In the victory, Toby Burgmaier earned the win and fanned six. Jack Romano struck out the side for the save. Yarmouth is home with Greely Wednesday and welcomes Poland Friday.

Freeport starts with a home game versus Lake Region Wednesday. The Falcons visit Traip Academy Friday and play host to Wells Monday.

Falmouth opened Tuesday at South Portland in a playoff rematch. The Yachtsmen welcome Scarborough Thursday (see theforecaster.net for game story), go to Portland Saturday (see theforecaster.net for game story) and host Windham Tuesday of next week.

In Class C South, The Waynflete/NYA co-op squad began with a 4-2 home win over defending Class D champion Richmond last Thursday. Waynflete/NYA welcomes Traip Academy Wednesday and hosts Old Orchard Beach Friday.

Softball

On the softball diamond, Falmouth’s return as a stand-alone varsity program commenced with a 13-0 (five-inning) home loss to Noble last week. Monday, the Yachtsmen dropped a 7-3 decision at Portland, in a game shortened to five innings by rain. Falmouth got three doubles and two RBI from Liberty Ladd. The Yachtsmen host South Portland Wednesday and Sanford Thursday, visit two-time defending Class A champion Scarborough Saturday and welcome Westbrook Monday of next week.

Greely started with an 18-11 loss at Wells. Monday, the Rangers lost, 11-1, at Cape Elizabeth. Taylor LaFlamme had two hits against the Capers. Greely is at Yarmouth Wednesday, hosts Gray-New Gloucester Friday and travels to York Monday of next week.  

Yarmouth opened with a 4-1 home loss to Gardiner. The Clippers are home with Greely Wednesday, welcome Poland Friday and go to York Tuesday of next week.

Freeport starts with a home game versus Lake Region Wednesday. The Falcons visit Traip Academy Friday and play host to Wells Monday.

The Cheverus/NYA co-op softball team got off to an auspicious start last Thursday, defeating visiting Sanford, 9-2. Cheverus/NYA was at two-time defending Class A champion Scarborough Tuesday, welcomes Westbrook Wednesday, goes to Thornton Academy Friday, then plays host to Biddeford Monday of next week.

Boys’ lacrosse

Yarmouth’s boys’ lacrosse team opened with an impressive 13-4 home victory over Greely, as Anders Corey had five goals, Gavin Hamm added four and the Clippers’ defense held the Rangers scoreless the final 35 minutes, 47 seconds.

“I have to give credit to the defense,” Corey said. “They shut it down.”

“We made some defensive adjustments,” Yarmouth coach David Pearl said. “Hats off to our players.”

The Clippers had a showdown at Cape Elizabeth Tuesday (see theforecaster.net for game story), welcome Kennebunk Friday and go to North Yarmouth Academy Tuesday of next week.

Greely started with a 13-4 loss at Yarmouth, then downed host NYA, 11-4. Against the Clippers, the Rangers went nearly three quarters without a goal.

“We fell apart offensively,” said Greely coach Mike Storey. “We let their pressure get to us.”

The Rangers were home against defending Class C champion Waynflete Tuesday, and travel to Messalonskee Saturday.

Falmouth won its opener, 9-3, at Kennebunk, as Tom Fitzgerald led the way with four goals. Monday, the Yachtsmen improved to 2-0 after a 16-7 home win over Gorham. Falmouth hosts Scarborough Wednesday, then goes to Scarborough Monday of next week.

Freeport downed visiting Fryeburg Academy, 5-3, in its opener (Sam Larochelle had two goals). After hosting NYA Wednesday, the Falcons welcome Cony Saturday and play host to Cape Elizabeth Tuesday of next week.

NYA started with a 9-6 win at Lake Region and an 11-4 home loss to Greely. Mason Parks had five goals and Ryan Baker added three in the victory. The Panthers were at Freeport Wednesday, go to Gardiner Saturday and play host to NYA Tuesday of next week. 

Girls’ lacrosse

On the girls’ side, defending Class A champion Falmouth opened Saturday with a 10-2 win at Biddeford, as Caitlyn Camelio scored four times. The Yachtsmen host Kennebunk in a key early-season showdown Wednesday (see theforecaster.net for game story), travel to Messalonskee Friday and return home Tuesday of next week to meet Marshwood.

Greely split its first two games, downing NYA, 14-7, and falling to Kennebunk, 11-4. Both games were played on NYA’s turf due to wet field conditions in Cumberland. In the victory, Elsa Dean-Muncie scored five goals and Jayme Morrison added four.

“We really want it this year,” said Dean-Muncie. “We’ve been working since before the season to make sure we’re ready.”

“We came out strong,” said Rangers coach Becca Koelker. “The girls, I think, were just so ready to go.”

In the setback, Dean-Muncie scored twice, but Greely went nearly 30 minutes without a goal and an 8-0 Kennebunk run was too much to overcome.

“We’re getting our confidence and our feet underneath us,” Koelker said. “Once we do that, we’ll be fine.”

The Rangers host Morse Saturday.

Yarmouth opened Tuesday at home versus Freeport. The Clippers play host to Massabesic Friday, then go to defending Class C champion Lake Region Monday of next week.

Freeport started with a 15-3 home win over Fryeburg Academy. Molly Whelan led the way with three goals. The Falcons went to Yarmouth Tuesday and host Boothbay Friday.

NYA lost, 14-7, to Greely in its first game. Catherine Reid scored four times.

“We have a lot of kinks to work out at the beginning of the season,” said Panthers coach Molly Climo. 

NYA welcomed Lake Region Wednesday, host Mt. Ararat Saturday and go to Sanford Tuesday of next week.

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