Ed. Note: For the complete Falmouth-Greely baseball, Greely-Yarmouth softball, Falmouth-Cheverus boys’ lacrosse and Falmouth-Cape Elizabeth and Yarmouth-Kennebunk girls’ lacrosse game stories, with box scores and photos, see theforecaster.net)

It feels like the spring sports season has just began, but many teams have already completed half of their schedule. That means that it’s time to start paying attention to the Heal Points and possible playoff positioning with the postseason just a few weeks away.

Here’s a glimpse at what occurred over the past week and how things stand:

Baseball

Falmouth’s baseball team enjoyed a 3-2 home win over Gray-New Gloucester last Wednesday (behind Cam Guarino’s complete game and 10 strikeouts, a two-run single from Caleb Lydick and a walk-off wild pitch), then earned a Heal Points-rich 7-1 victory at Greely Friday. In that one, Reece Armitage earned his first victory, Colin Coyne came on to close it out and four different Yachtsmen had multiple hits as they handled Rangers ace Will Bryant.

“I felt good,” Armitage said. “In the first couple innings, I was coming up high, but I had to find myself. I had great support from the team. My pitching coach (Craig Pendleton) helped.”

“We hadn’t been hitting well as a team, but coach said to ‘grip and rip’ and we hit him pretty well,” senior catcher Connor MacDowell said.

“I thought the kids played great,” added Falmouth coach Kevin Winship. “We knew coming in we were facing a top pitcher in the league and we had our work cut out for us, but we played well, 1 through 9.”

Monday, the Yachtsmen fell to 5-2 and third behind Kennebunk and South Portland in the Western Class A Heal Points standings after a 3-1 home loss to Kennebunk. Guarino again went the distance and again struck out 10, but this time took his first loss. Robbie Armitage drove in Falmouth’s lone run.

The Yachtsmen were home against Lake Region Wednesday, go to Wells Thursday, visit Kennebunk Saturday, host Wells Monday and go to Yarmouth Wednesday of next week.

“We’re young, but I think we can go a long way,” Coyne said. “We just have to stay consistent. If we stay consistent, anything can happen.”

Greely enjoyed an 11-2 triumph at Yarmouth last Wednesday (Ryan Twitchell threw five scoreless innings and Cal Soule had a three-run triple), but Friday, lost at home to Falmouth, 7-1, as Bryant took his first loss.

“We didn’t play well,” Rangers coach Derek Soule said. “Offensively, they found some holes. Will looked strong early, but they pieced it together. That’s baseball. It was disappointing the number of balls we put in the air. We made it really easy on them defensively.”

Greely improved to 6-2 and second behind York in Western B after a 3-0 home win over York Monday, as Twitchell went the distance. The Rangers were at Cape Elizabeth Wednesday, host Freeport Friday, go to Fryeburg Academy Monday and welcome Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday of next week.

Freeport is coming on. The Falcons lost their fourth game in a row, 8-1, at Cape Elizabeth last Wednesday, but handled visiting Poland (11-1, in five innings) the next day, then improved to 3-4 Monday after a 9-0 home win over Fryeburg Academy. In the win over the Knights, Colby Wagner homered and Caleb Rice had three RBI, while Jack Davenport earned the victory. Against the Raiders, Pete Lamagna and Josh Burke combined for the shutout, while Davenport had three hits, including a home run.

Freeport (seventh in Western B) was at Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday, goes to Greely Friday, plays at Kennebunk Monday and welcomes Lake Region Wednesday of next week.

Yarmouth won four of its first five games, then lost at home to Greely (11-2) and at Cape Elizabeth (6-1) last week, before prevailing, 10-1, at Lake Region Monday to improve to 5-3 and eighth in Western B. Luke Klenda earned the victory, while Gibson Harnett had two hits and drove in four runs and Connor Lainey also had a pair of hits. After playing at Poland Wednesday, the Clippers host Wells Friday, Old Orchard Beach Monday and Falmouth Wednesday of next week.

In Western D, North Yarmouth Academy lost its first six games, capped by a 13-3 six inning loss at Traip Academy Wednesday, then got in the win column Saturday, 6-2, over visiting Waynflete, as Joey Hogan earned the win and Haize Fassett hit an inside-the-park home run and drove in four runs. The Panthers (eighth in the Heals) hosted Traip Academy Wednesday, go to Old Orchard Beach Thursday, welcome Waynflete Saturday and host Sacopee Valley Wednesday of next week.

Softball

Greely’s softball team had a week to remember. The Rangers first snapped a two-game skid with a  6-2 win at Wells. Wednesday, Greely made a big statement at then-unbeaten Yarmouth, winning in emphatic fashion, 12-2, behind a complete game victory from Miranda Moore (who allowed just one earned run and didn’t walk a batter) and a home run from Audrey Mann, as it avenged last year’s playoff loss.

“I think the team and I had to redeem ourselves from last year and I think we did that,” said Moore. “We came out believing in ourselves. It was a team effort.”

“I’ve caught Miranda since the fifth grade and this was one of the best games I’ve seen her pitch,” said Mann. “She was amazing. It’s such a change from last year’s game.”

“Miranda hasn’t pitched like that all year,” first-year coach Rob Hale added. “She was on. She got back on the horse. She didn’t walk anyone. The girls are so excited for her. She’s well-liked. I think our defense is our strength, but we hadn’t shown that until today.”

Just 24 hours later, the Rangers had to host Fryeburg Academy in a makeup game and dug holes of 3-0 and 11-4, but somehow rallied to steal one, 16-15, in eight innings. After pulling within one, 11-10, with six sixth inning runs, Greely saw the Raiders go back on top, 15-10, in the top of the seventh, but the Rangers didn’t quit, getting an RBI single from Miranda Eisenhart, scoring two runs on an error, pulling within one on Moore’s RBI single and tying it up on an RBI single from Mann. Then, in the bottom of the eighth, Evan Carrell singled home Haley Felkel to cap the stirring rally. Moore got the win in relief. Friday, Greely improved to 6-2 with a 7-1 home victory over Falmouth, as Moore threw a three-hitter and Lexi Faietta had three hits.

After going to Cape Elizabeth Wednesday, the Rangers (second in the Western B Heal Points standings) play at Fryeburg Academy Monday and host Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday of next week.

Prior to its first loss, Yarmouth won at Gray-New Gloucester, 5-1, as Cat Thompson earned the win and Eleanor O’Gorman and Michelle Robichaud both had multiple hits. Against the Rangers, Yarmouth fell behind, 5-0, in the first inning and couldn’t recover.

“We definitely laid an egg,” Clippers coach Amy Ashley said. “It’s hard to come back from five runs down. Greely played exceptionally well and made some great plays. Good for them, not so good for us.  I was prepared for us to have a breakdown at some point. I just didn’t think it would be for a full seven innings. When you pop the ball up over half your at-bats, nothing good will come of it. We just didn’t have baserunners. We didn’t make good contact.”

Friday, the Clippers bounced back to edge visiting Sacopee Valley in dramatic fashion, 5-4. Yarmouth erased deficits of 3-0 and 4-1 and took the lead for good when Kallie Hutchinson drove in three in the bottom of the fifth. Monday, the Clippers improved to 7-1 and first in Western B after a 12-8 win at Lake Region, as Thompson and Cooper both had three hits and Cate Ralph drove in five runs. Yarmouth was at Poland Wednesday, hosts Wells Friday, welcomes Sacopee Valley Monday and Falmouth Wednesday of next week.

Freeport fell to 0-7 after recent losses at Cape Elizabeth (16-2, in five innings) and at home to Poland (12-0, in six innings) and Fryeburg Academy (24-0, in five innings). The Falcons (15th in Western B) were at Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday, visit Traip Academy Friday, play at Kennebunk Monday and return home to meet Lake Region Wednesday of next week.

In Western A, Falmouth sandwiched recent home wins over Gray-New Gloucester (7-6) and Kennebunk (6-0) around a 7-1 loss at Greely. Julia Treadwell threw a shutout against the Rams, striking out nine, and adding a pair of hits on offense. Liz Walker homered. The Yachtsmen (3-4 and 11th in the Heals) hosted Lake Region Wednesday, visit Wells Thursday and Kennebunk Saturday, welcome Wells Monday and go to Yarmouth Wednesday of next week.

Boys’ lacrosse

Falmouth’s boys’ lacrosse team was hitting its stride heading into a home showdown with two-time defending Class B champion Cape Elizabeth Tuesday. Last week, the Yachtsmen romped at Fryeburg Academy, 15-2, and outscored visiting Cheverus, 16-10, to improve to 5-1. Against the Raiders, Falmouth got six goals from Bryce Kuhn and three from C.J. Leighton. In the win over the Stags, Kuhn and Jack Scribner both scored five times.

“One of the best things about this team is we have a balanced offense,” said Kuhn. “We don’t really have any superstars, but we have players all over the field who can finish.”

“Coach had us in the right spot,” Scribner said. “We have a lot of young kids who are getting in on the action. The captains are leading us. I’m loving it. I’m happy to be out here.”

The Yachtsmen (second in the Western B Heal Points standings) entered Tuesday’s game (see theforecaster.net for story) having not beaten the nemesis Capers since the 2012 Western B Final, a span of six games.

“It’s not about how we’re playing now,” said Falmouth coach Mike LeBel. “We have to adopt Cape’s philosophy, where we look to peak at the end of the season. We might hit a couple roadblocks, but the kids are working hard and trying to improve.”

The Yachtsmen are idle until Tuesday of next week when they welcome Yarmouth.

Greely won at home over York, 13-4, last Tuesday, then dropped to 3-2 with a 16-8 setback at Thornton Academy Saturday. Tim Adams and Mitch Mullin both scored twice in the victory. Tim Day had four goals in the loss. The Rangers (fifth in Western B) were home against Kennebunk Tuesday, welcome Messalonskee Saturday and play at Cape Elizabeth Tuesday of next week.

In Eastern B, Yarmouth, the two-time defending regional champion, enjoyed a 15-0 win at Lake Region last Wednesday, then fell to 3-2 with a 14-8 home loss to defending Eastern A champion Brunswick Saturday. Bill Jacobs and Anders Newberg both had four goals in the victory. Joe Oliva scored five times in the loss. The Clippers (seventh in the Heals) hosted NYA Tuesday, go to South Portland Friday and visit Falmouth Tuesday of next week.

NYA dropped to 1-3 with a 7-5 home loss to Waynflete last Tuesday. After going to Yarmouth Tuesday, the fourth-ranked Panthers visit Wells Thursday, host Gardiner Saturday and play at Kennebunk Tuesday of next week.

Freeport was 3-3 at press time, sandwiching losses to visiting Kennebunk (10-8) and at Waynflete (15-9) around an 11-5 victory at Camden Hills. Perrin Davidson and Sam Wogan both scored three times against the Rams. Wogan had six goals versus the Flyers. The Falcons (fifth in Eastern B) go to Fryeburg Academy Thursday, welcome Gorham Saturday and visit York Tuesday.

Girls’ lacrosse

On the girls’ side, Falmouth came back to earth a bit last Wednesday with a 7-6 home loss to Cape Elizabeth, its first loss in three outings. The Yachtsmen got three goals from Sydney Bell and led almost the whole way, but the Capers scored the final three goals to steal one.

“I think we beat ourselves this game with turnovers,” said Falmouth coach Kait Johnson. “We played young today. A lot of things didn’t go our way. I wish I could change that. It was a humbling game. This is how we get better. It’s a learning experience to build on. I believe we’re a better team than Cape on both ends of the field. We’re lucky we’ll get to see them again on June 3rd.”

The Yachtsmen got back on track Friday with an 11-9 home win over Thornton Academy, which lifted their record to 3-1. Falmouth (seventh in the Western Class A Heals) was at Waynflete for a key showdown Wednesday (see theforecaster.net for game story), plays at Gorham Friday and welcomes dangerous York Monday.

Greely fell to 2-3 (ninth in Western B) last Wednesday with a 10-9 loss at NYA (despite three goals from Meaghan Doherty). The Rangers return to action Saturday at defending Class A champion Massabesic. Gould Academy pays a visit Wednesday of next week.

In Eastern B, NYA got in the win column with last week’s 10-9 home triumph over Greely, as Izzy Munro and Mary Noyes both scored three times. Saturday, the Panthers fell to 1-4 (and fourth in the Heals) with an 11-5 home loss to Mt. Ararat. Noyes and Mel Regan both scored twice in defeat. NYA was at Lake Region Wednesday, hosts McAuley Friday and welcomes Wells Tuesday of next week.

Defending Class B champion Yarmouth fell to 1-3 (seventh in the Heals) last Tuesday with a 10-7 home loss to Kennebunk. The Clippers got two goals apiece from Emma Torres and Lilly Watson, but couldn’t erase an early three-goal deficit.

“We’re not getting the bounces quite yet,” said Yarmouth coach Dorothy Holt. “It’ll come. The momentum went both ways. I think we’re evenly matched.”

The Clippers were back in action Tuesday at Fryeburg Academy. They host Scarborough Friday and play host to Lake Region Tuesday of next week.

Freeport fell to 0-4 (and ninth in Eastern B) following last week’s 12-10 loss at Lake Region. Emily Johnson scored three times in defeat. The Falcons were at Wells Wednesday, go to Gardiner Saturday and welcome Morse for a playoff rematch Tuesday of next week.

Outdoor track

Greely hosted Kennebunk, NYA, Traip and Waynflete in an outdoor track meet Friday. The Rangers boys and girls both came in first, while the Panthers were fourth in both genders.

In the boys’ meet, Greely got wins from Ryan Morrison in the mile (4 minutes, 43.45 seconds) and 800 (2:06.51), Kyle Hansen in the two-mile (10:31.39), Paul Bischoff in the high jump (5 feet, 8 inches), Ben Ray in the pole vault (11-6), Malik Black in the triple jump (37-9) and Chris Byron in the javelin (156-0). NYA got a win from Chase Gendron in the discus (124-5.5). 

Greely’s girls’ winners included Alyssa Coyne in the shot put (35-11), discus (119-7) and pole vault (8-6), Lauren Williams in the high jump (5-0), Jocleyn Mitiguy in the 300 hurdles (55.57 seconds), Kristina Smith in the 800 (2:36.66), Sophia Stickney in the mile (5:52.33), Siana Emery in the racewalk (8:16.09) and the 1,600 relay team (4:35.59). NYA’s Hannah Austin won the two-mile (11:46.28). 

Yarmouth hosted Lake Region, Poland and Wells Friday. The Clippers boys were second to Wells and the girls were runners-up to Poland. Boys’ event winners included Luke Laverdiere in the mile (4:34.65) and two-mile (9:59.26), Sam Gerken in the 200 (24.86) and 400 (53.08), Tucker Whitney in the triple jump (37-7.75) and Lucas Phipps in the pole vault (8-0). For the girls, Gabby Beaulieu won the racewalk (9:57.34), Grace Cowles took the mile (5:32.37) and Emma Egan won the high jump (5-4).

Falmouth and Freeport joined Sacopee Valley at York.

In the boys’ meet, the Yachtsmen were second to the Wildcats, while the Falcons came in fourth. Falmouth got wins from Andy Clement in the 300 hurdles (42.14), Sean Soucy in the 800 (2:05.6), Scott Lambert in the two-mile (10:19.5), Aaron Thomas in the pole vault (12-8), Matt Edmonds in the discus (130-10) and its 400 (45.74) and 3,200 (9:06.0) relay teams. Freeport’s Henry Jaques won the mile in 4:39.0.

The teams finished in the same order in the girls’ competition. Falmouth got wins from Adelaide Cooke in the 100 hurdles (17.24) and shot put (33-10), Emma England in the 200 (27.74) and Madison Tait in the discus (85-5). Freeport didn’t have a first-place finisher, but Patricia Dupere was second in the 300 hurdles (55.74).

Tennis

The triumphant beat goes on with the Falmouth tennis program. The defending Class A champion Yachtsmen girls made it six in a row this spring and 115 straight match wins overall with recent 5-0 victories over Freeport, Lake Region and defending Class B champion Greely. The boys were also 6-0 at press time after defeating Freeport (5-0), Fryeburg Academy (3-2) and Greely (5-0).

The Greely girls fell to 5-1 with their loss to Falmouth. The Rangers boys’ team was 2-5 at press time.

Freeport’s boys were 1-4 at press time, while the girls dropped their first five matches.

Yarmouth’s girls fell to 4-2 Monday with a 3-2 home loss to NYA. The boys improved to 3-2 Monday with a 4-1 win over NYA, the Clippers’ third triumph in a row.

NYA’s girls enjoyed recent impressive wins over four-time defending Class C champion Waynflete (5-0) and crosstown rival Yarmouth (3-2) to improve to 5-1. The boys were 0-5 at press time.

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

Sidebar Elements

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Greely catcher Dylan Fried leaps to catch a throw, then tags out Falmouth’s Colby Emmertz at the plate during Friday’s showdown. The Yachtsmen did manage to touch home seven times in a 7-1 victory.

Greely catcher Audrey Mann is congratulated by her teammates following her first varsity home run in last week’s 12-2 victory at previously undefeated Yarmouth.

North Yarmouth Academy’s Muriel Adams heaves the discus during an outdoor track meet last week at Greely. Adams came in second in that event.