Spring 2013 state champions

Falmouth girls’ tennis (Class B)

Spring 2013 regional champions

Greely softball (Western B)
Yarmouth boys’ lacrosse (Eastern B)
Yarmouth girls’ lacrosse (Eastern B)

Spring 2013 individual state champions

Outdoor track

Jacob Buhelt, Falmouth, boys’ 400, Class B
Lexi Dietrich, Freeport, girls’ 200, Class C
Harrison Stivers, Freeport, boys’ 400, Class C
Harrison Stivers, Freeport, boys’ 800, Class C
Gwen Sawyer, Greely, girls’ shot put, Class B
Muriel Adams, NYA, girls’ discus, Class C
Jake Burns, NYA, boys’ 300 hurdles, Class C

Tennis

Olivia Leavitt, girls’ singles

Michael’s Top 5 stories:

5) Fortier says no, no and no again

Falmouth’s baseball team wasn’t able to repeat as Class B state champion, but senior ace Thomas Fortier certainly made his share of headlines this spring. Fortier, a left-handed hurler, threw a no-hitter in his first outing, did it again the next time out, then no-hit Yarmouth to make it an amazing three in one season. He was undefeated in the regular season and led the Yachtsmen to the Western B Final where he and (his team) finally met his match in eventual state champion York.

4) Greely softball comes oh so close

Since winning the 2002 Class B title, Greely’s softball team knocked on the door almost every season, including 2012, when the Rangers got to the regional final, but they simply hadn’t been able to make it to the final Saturday. This year, somewhat surprisingly, Greely broke through. After a 12-4 regular season, the Rangers beat Yarmouth in the quarterfinals, then exorcised many ghosts with a thrilling victory at nemesis Fryeburg in the semifinals. Greely edged Gray-New Gloucester in the regional final to make it to states, but there, couldn’t hold a 1-0 sixth inning lead and lost, 8-1. Perhaps next spring, the Rangers will finish the job.

3) Yarmouth girls get back to states

The Yarmouth girls’ lacrosse team got off to a tough start this spring, but the Clippers hinted at big things to come with unexpected victories at three-time defending Class A champion Scarborough and powerhouse Cape Elizabeth. Yarmouth was only seeded third for the Eastern B tournament, but avenged last year’s disappointing playoff ouster with a thrilling win at Freeport in the semifinals, then roared past Morse in the second half of the regional final to make it back to the Class B state game. There, as a decided underdog to defending champion Waynflete, the Clippers put forth a fantastic effort, leading early and hanging tough throughout, but in the end, Yarmouth fell to the Flyers, 7-4. With several key players returning, the Clippers might go all the way in 2014.

2) Falmouth girls’ tennis does it again

Falmouth’s girls’ tennis team continued to run roughshod over all foes, going 16-0 for the fifth year in a row, winning a sixth straight Class B state title and extending its six-year match win streak to a jawdropping 93. The Yachtsmen cruised past their first 15 foes by 5-0 scores, then got pushed in the state final, but managed to down Waterville, 3-2. Making matters even more impressive Falmouth sophomore Olivia Leavitt captured the state singles crown. There’s no end in sight for this powerhouse. The Yachtsmen will be just as strong next spring as they look to push their win streak into triple digits.

1) Boys’ lax games for the ages

Falmouth, North Yarmouth Academy and Yarmouth’s boys’ lacrosse teams (along with eventual Class B champion Cape Elizabeth) engaged in some of the most memorable games of this or any other season, as high drama and disbelief carried the day. Yarmouth had its way with NYA and Falmouth (twice beating the Yachtsmen in overtime on goals from Ian Edgecomb), but couldn’t solve Cape Elizabeth (falling three times to the Capers, including the state game). The Panthers were the only team to beat the Capers and did it twice. Falmouth might have gone undefeated were it not for some tough luck and instead wound up 9-5, with four of those defeats coming in OT. It was a season to remember and local boys’ lacrosse fans were the ultimate winners.

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