(Ed. Note: For the complete Falmouth-Cape Elizabeth and Yarmouth-South Portland boys’ lacrosse and Greely-Massabesic and Yarmouth-Kennebunk girls’ lacrosse game stories, with photos and box scores, visit theforecaster.net)

The midway pole has been passed and local teams are jockeying to make the playoffs as we enter the final phase of the regular season.

There’s been a lot of excitement in recent days and the days to come promise to deliver more drama.

Here’s a glimpse:

Baseball

Greely’s baseball team unleashed the full force of its fury on unsuspecting Western Maine Conference foes last week. After rewriting the offensive record books in a 25-2 (five inning) win at York and handling visiting Cape Elizabeth (6-1), Friday, the Rangers won at Freeport, 11-4, as standout pitcher Will Bryant etched his name into program annals by fanning 20 batters, a record for a seven-inning contest (Bryant tied Bobby Doyle, who struck out 20 in a 13-inning contest 48 years ago). Patrick O’Shea and Bailey Train homered and Miles Shields had three hits. In the win over the Capers, Train threw a two-hitter with 10 strikeouts over six innings of work and also hit a two-run home run. Sam Porter drove in two runs and pitched the final inning. Greely (9-1 and second to Poland in the Western Class B Heal Points standings at press time) played a makeup game at Fryeburg Tuesday and went to Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday. The Rangers face Falmouth in a doubleheader Saturday at The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach. The first game starts at 5:30 p.m., with the second to begin 15 minutes after the conclusion of the first.

Freeport was holding on to the last playoff spot while Yarmouth was on the outside looking in at press time, although both teams can easily move up in the weeks to come.

The Falcons extended their win streak to three last Wednesday with a 5-0 blanking of visiting Gray-New Gloucester, then lost at home to Greely, 11-4, and at home to Kennebunk, 12-3, to fall to 3-7 and 10th in the Heals. Against the Rangers, Peter Lamagna had a pair of hits. Freeport was at Lake Region Wednesday, welcomes Poland Friday and goes to Traip Tuesday of next week.

Yarmouth lost at home to Poland (6-1) and at Wells (12-1, in five innings last week). Monday, the Clippers improved to 6-4 with a 10-2 win at Old Orchard Beach. Luke Klenda fanned 10 batters in earning the victory. Yarmouth (12th in Western B) was at Falmouth Wednesday, goes to York Friday and visits Freeport Wednesday of next week.

In Western A, Falmouth was 7-2 at press time, but that record only put the Yachtsmen seventh in the Heals. Falmouth snapped a two-game skid last Wednesday with a 14-3 victory at Lake Region. Thursday, the Yachtsmen handled visiting Wells in five innings, 12-1. Addison Foltmer singled, doubled and tripled and drove in two runs as Falmouth blew it open with a nine-run fifth inning. Luke Velas had two hits and two RBI and Reece Armitage earned his first career victory. Monday,the Yachtsmen beat the Warriors again, this time, 3-2, in Wells. Connor MacDowell had a two-run single and Will D’Agostino drove in the winning run. After hosting Kennebunk in a makeup game Tuesday, Falmouth welcomed Yarmouth Wednesday, then plays a doubleheader versus Greely in Old Orchard Beach Saturday.

In Western D, North Yarmouth Academy was 10th at 0-7 after losing at Traip (15-8) and Old Orchard Beach (10-4). The Panthers were at Sacopee Wednesday, play a makeup game at Waynflete Thursday, host Greater Portland Christian School Saturday and go to Old Orchard Beach Tuesday.

Softball

Falmouth’s softball team began the week fourth in the Western A Heals. The Yachtsmen split two games last week (although they played the equivalent of three), winning at Lake Region, 9-3, then dropping a 5-2, 14-inning home decision to Wells. Against the Lakers, Elizabeth Walker homered and singled twice. Jessica Collins also had two hits and Julia Treadwell got the win in relief. Treadwell only gave up eight hits in the marathon against the Warriors, but was the hard-luck loser. Monday, Falmouth faced Wells again, this time on the road, and dropped another tough one, 8-7, as the Warriors scored twice in the bottom of the seventh. Walker homered again, as did Maddie Rouhana. The Yachtsmen (7-3) were home against Kennebunk Tuesday and Yarmouth Wednesday, have a showdown at Greely Friday and host undefeated, top-ranked Cape Elizabeth Wednesday of next week.

In Western B, Greely was 7-2 and fourth in the Heals entering the week after a 12-3 home loss to Cape Elizabeth (Charlotte Benoit and Haley Felkel both had three hits) last Wednesday. The Rangers played a makeup game at Fryeburg Tuesday, visited Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday, play host to Falmouth Friday and go to Old Orchard Beach Tuesday of next week.

Yarmouth fell to ninth at 4-6 after losses last week to visiting Poland (6-0) and at Wells (15-10). Monday’s game at Sacopee was postponed. The Clippers were at Falmouth Wednesday, visit York Friday and play at Freeport Wednesday of next week.

The Falcons fell at home to Gray-New Gloucester, 6-1, and beat visiting Traip, 3-2, last week. Jess Perry had two hits against the Patriots. In the win, Krista Bertrand tripled and scored the tying run in the bottom of the seventh before Lauren Cormier came home with the winner on a passed ball. Monday, Freeport fell to 2-8 and 14th after a 13-0, five inning home loss to Kennebunk. The Falcons went to Lake Region Wednesday, host Poland Friday and visit Traip Tuesday.

Boys’ lacrosse

Local boys’ lacrosse teams suffered some tough losses last week.

Yarmouth won at NYA, 10-0, then fell at home to Western A power South Portland, 10-7. Against the Panthers, Max Watson had four goals and Dylan Tureff added a pair, while goalie Connor Hoehle made 10 saves to preserve the shutout. The Clippers took a quick 3-0 lead over the Red Riots, then were held scoreless for nearly 29 minutes as South Portland scored 10 straight goals. Yarmouth finished strong, but fell short despite three goals from Brady Neujhar and a pair from Watson.

“It’s not the way I expected it to go,” Clippers coach David Pearl said. “I think if we played like we did in the first and fourth quarters, the outcome could have been different.”

Yarmouth (5-2 and second to Maranacook/Winthrop in the Eastern B Heals) had a home showdown versus Falmouth Tuesday (see theforecaster.net for game story), goes to Waynflete Friday and plays host to Kennebunk Wednesday of next week.

Freeport sat fourth at 5-3 after an 8-5 home win over Waynflete and a 15-6 loss at Gorham. Connor Dostie and Sam Wogan both had three goals and Zac Wogan made 21 saves in the win. Sam Wogan scored five times in the loss. After hosting York Tuesday, the Falcons go to Greely Friday and to go Lake Region Wednesday of next week.

NYA fell to 1-6 and 10th after a 10-0 home loss to Yarmouth and a 7-4 setback at Gardiner. Colton Ackerman and Wes Bright both scored twice against the Tigers. The Panthers were home against Kennebunk Wednesday, go to Fryeburg Friday and play at defending Class B champion Cape Elizabeth Tuesday of next week.

In Western B, Falmouth fell from the unbeaten ranks last Tuesday at rival/nemesis Cape Elizabeth, 12-8. The Yachtsmen were behind, 5-0, before settling down, but could never get closer than two goals and lost to the Capers for the fourth straight time. Bryce Kuhn had three goals.

“We dug ourselves a big hole that first quarter,” lamented Falmouth coach Mike LeBel. “Cape came out ready. We had a decent game plan going in, but we didn’t execute or match their intensity. They definitely outplayed us. It wasn’t something we did incorrectly. They just played better than we did.”

Saturday, the Yachtsmen got back on track, cruising to a 10-0 lead over visiting four-time defending Class A champion Scarborough before going on to a 15-11 victory behind six goals from Kuhn and four goals and four assists from IV Stucker. Falmouth (6-1 and second to Cape Elizabeth in the Western B Heals) was at Yarmouth Tuesday, hosts Wells Friday and plays host to Greely Wednesday of next week.

The Rangers were third at 5-2 after an impressive 9-6 win at Kennebunk and a 12-6 loss at Messalonskee last week. Mitch Mullin scored twice in the loss. Greely was home against Cape Elizabeth Tuesday (see theforecaster.net for game story), welcomes Freeport Friday and goes to Falmouth Wednesday of next week.

Girls’ lacrosse

Yarmouth’s girls’ lacrosse team continues to evolve into a special, perhaps championship-caliber squad. Last week, in their lone game, the Clippers went to undefeated Kennebunk and played an instant classic. Yarmouth jumped out to a 6-2 halftime lead, but the Rams rallied to tie. Grace O’Donnell then took over, scoring three times to help the Clippers preserve a 9-6 victory. Emma Torres had a fabulous effort all over the field and freshman goalie Mary Kate Gunville continued to dazzle, making a dozen critical saves.

“It was so fun,” said O’Donnell. “Kennebunk is a great team. We needed a spark to get us going again. Once we got that, we found our energy. It was all about heart.”

“It was hard, but I know that my defense has my back,” said Gunville. “They did the best they could. Kennebunk had amazing shots. It was all I could do to try and get in front.”

“It was more competitive and aggressive than I anticipated,” Torres said. “Our team stepped it up and kept our composure. I feel like we realized we wanted it more. We had the speed and the endurance.”

“It was like a playoff game,” Yarmouth coach Dorothy Holt added. “The girls answered. They had to dig deep. What I’m most proud of is how we regrouped. We didn’t give up.”

The Clippers (5-1 and first in the Eastern B Heals) went to Cape Elizabeth Tuesday, then return home for the first time since May 2, when they host NYA Thursday. Falmouth pays a visit next Wednesday.

Freeport remains hot on Yarmouth’s heels in the Eastern B Heals, as it improved to 6-1 and second thanks to recent wins at Fryeburg (16-3) and over Gardiner (13-3, in a game played on Bowdoin’s turf). Against the Raiders, Meredith Broderick and Emily Johnson both scored three goals, while Courtney Broderick, Julia Dearden and Lizzy Martin all added two. In the win over the Tigers, Johnson had four goals and Meredith Broderick added three. Molly Lane made a dozen saves. The Falcons were at York Wednesday and host Greely Saturday morning.

NYA is up to fifth in Eastern B with a 3-4 mark following an 18-5 home win over McAuley Friday. Alex Wahlstrom scored five times. The Panthers hosted Gould Tuesday, go to Yarmouth Thursday and play host to Wells Wednesday of next week.

In Western B, Greely began the week 3-3 and sixth in the standings after a 15-10 win at Falmouth and a 7-6 home loss to Massabesic. In the victory, Jocelyn Mitiguy had four goals, while Gabby Bouchard, Cameron Keefe and Teal Otley each had three. In the setback, the Rangers rallied from a three-goal halftime deficit, had a chance to win late, but turned the ball over and watched as the defending Western A champion Mustangs produced the decisive tally with only 15.7 seconds to go. Keefe led a balanced attack with two goals.

“That was a really tough loss,” Greely coach Becca Koelker said. “I think we had an opportunity to put it away, but we didn’t take advantage of it.”

The Rangers were home against two-time defending Class B champion Waynflete Wednesday (see theforecaster.net for game story), go to Freeport Saturday and play host to Cape Elizabeth Wednesday of next week.

Falmouth fell to 2-4 and fifth after losing at home to Greely (15-10) and at home to Gorham (11-9). Ella Fitzgerald had four goals and Julia Spugnardi three against the Rangers. Sabrina Smithwick scored five times against the Rams. The Yachtsmen were home against Kennebunk Tuesday, go to Gould Friday and play at Yarmouth Wednesday of next week.

Outdoor track

On the track, Falmouth hosted Old Orchard Beach, Poland and Waynflete last Thursday and both Yachtsmen teams finished first.

The boys got wins from Adam Gardner in the 110 hurdles (19.54 seconds), Josh Simensky in the mile (4 minutes, 59 seconds), Andy Clement in the 200 (24.42) and in the 300 hurdles (43.02), Bryce Murdick in the two-mile (10:35.85), Sean Soucy in the 400 (55.87), Spencer Brown in the 800 (2:03.34), Tony St. Angelo in the high jump (6 feet) and long jump (19-1) and the 400 (45.65), 1,600 (3:50.23) and 3,200 (9:35.58) relays.

Girls’ winners included Olivia Baranowski in the 100 hurdles (17.6), Charlotte Cutshall in the 100 (13.97) and 200 (28.58), Antoinette Lambert in the mile (6:00.87), Vishva Nalamalapu in the two-mile (12:37.37), Mira Wyman in the 800 (2:30.05), Kiersten Dyhrberg in the discus (89-7) and shot put (29-10), Adelaide Cooke in the javelin (88-4), Lydia Farmer in the long jump (15-4) and triple jump (34-0) and 400 (53.77), 1,600 (4;35.12) and 3,200 (12:35.84) relays.

Freeport and Yarmouth joined Kennebunk and York at Traip. In the boys’ meet, the Clippers came in third and the Falcons were fourth. In the girls’ competition, Freeport was fifth and Yarmouth sixth. York took first in both genders.

Freeport got wins from Chandler Vincent in the boys’ two-mile (10:17.73) and Demetrius Rodriguez in the boys’ long jump (19-5)

For Yarmouth, Emma Egan won the girls’ 100 (13.81) and 200 (28.15), Lily Daggett took the girls’ pole vault (6-6), Ben Decker won the boys’ 800 (2:03.17) and the boys’ mile (4:40.39) and Travis Hamre took the boys’ 200 (23.89).

Greely took on Gray-New Gloucester, Wells and Sacopee Valley. The girls were first and got wins from Siana Emery in the racewalk (8:57), Kristina Smith in the 400 (1:05.8) and high jump (4-8), Kirstin Sandreuter in the 800 (2:28.8), Alyssa Casarez in the shot put (34-10), Jamie Keisman in the triple jump (30-5.5), Sophie McMonagle and Lucy Wetzel in the pole vault (they tied with a top vault of 7-0) and the 1,600 (4:37.5) and 3,200 (10:34.2) relays. The boys tied for third. Connor Rog won the 800 in 2:08.9.

NYA joined Cape Elizabeth and Fryeburg at Lake Region. The girls won the meet and the boys came in third.

Girls’ event winners included Linnea Hull in the pole vault (7-6), Adela McVicar in the high jump (4-10) and racewalk (12:10.36), Muriel Adams in the discus (99-7), Hannah Austin in the two-mile (11:44.81), Lizzie Lewis in the 300 hurdles (57.32) and Jillian Bjorn-Caron in the 100 hurdles (18.71). The boys got wins from Xander Bartone in the 100 (11.97) and 400 (55.36), Jake Malcom in the 300 hurdles (51.22), and the 400 relay (45.74).

Tennis

Falmouth’s girls reached a milestone last week (please see story), but they weren’t the only ones turning heads.

Greely’s girls were first at press time in the Western B Heals with a 9-1 mark following 4-1 wins at Yarmouth and Lake Region last week. The Rangers wrap up the regular season by hosting NYA Thursday and Lake Region Friday. Yarmouth was 10th at 3-6 after losses to NYA (3-2) and Greely (4-1) last week. After hosting three-time defending Class C champion Waynflete Tuesday, the Clippers go to Freeport Thursday and finish Friday at Cape Elizabeth. Freeport was 4-5 and 12th at press time and hopes to move into the top 10 to reach the playoffs. The Falcons won at Lake Region (3-2) and Fryeburg (4-1) last week. They were home with Kennebunk Tuesday, welcome Yarmouth Thursday and close at home versus NYA Friday. Speaking of the Panthers, they were fifth in Western C after a 3-2 win over Yarmouth and a 5-0 loss at Waynflete. NYA (6-3) was home against Falmouth Tuesday, goes to Greely Thursday and closes at Freeport Friday.

On the boys’ side, Falmouth improved to 9-0 and second to Deering in Western A after 5-0 wins last week over Cape Elizabeth, Kennebunk and Greely. The Yachtsmen hosted NYA Tuesday, go to six-time Class C champ Waynflete Thursday and close at York Friday. In Western B, resurgent Yarmouth was 7-1 and second in the Heals at press time after wins over NYA (5-0), Greely (4-1) and Freeport (3-2) last week. The Clippers were at Waynflete Tuesday and home versus Kennebunk Wednesday, play host to Freeport Thursday and welcome Cape Elizabeth Friday. Freeport sat sixth at 4-5 after beating Greely (4-1) and Fryeburg (5-0) and losing to Yarmouth (3-2) last week. The Falcons were at Kennebunk Tuesday, go to Yarmouth Thursday and close at NYA Friday. Greely was 2-9 and ninth in Western B (only eight teams make the playoffs) heading into Thursday’s finale at NYA. The Rangers were coming off 4-1 losses to Freeport and Yarmouth and a 5-0 setback to Falmouth. The Panthers began the week eighth in Western C at 4-5 (only eight teams make the postseason) after 5-0 losses to Yarmouth and Waynflete and a 3-1 win over Fryeburg. After going to Falmouth Tuesday, NYA is home against Greely Thursday and closes Friday at home versus Freeport.

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