Cheverus’ Justin Ray makes a throw on the run during last week’s home loss to Scarborough.

Portland’s Lydia Stein battles a pair of Brunswick players for a draw control during the Bulldogs’ 12-2 win last week.

The spring sports regular season is slipping away and while many challenges remain, local teams are looking good as they vie for optimal postseason positioning.

Here’s a look back at the week that was and a glimpse at what’s to come:

Baseball

Cheverus’ baseball team was 6-3 and seventh in the Class A South Heal Points standings at press time following a 9-8 loss at Thornton Academy, a 4-0 home loss to Scarborough and a 2-1 win at Biddeford last week. John Welch homered and singled and Luke Knowles also had two hits against the Golden Trojans. In the loss to the Red Storm, John Mullen only allowed one earned run, but was the hard-luck loser.

“We had to play a perfect game, which we didn’t,” said Cheverus coach Mac McKew. “That’s baseball. It was a good pitching duel. If we played better defensively, it probably would have been a 1-0 game.”

In the victory, Hayden O’Donnell drove in both runs, while Nick Giancotti and Justin Ray combined for the win. The Stags were home with Windham Tuesday, host Bonny Eagle Thursday, go to Portland Friday and welcome Falmouth Tuesday of next week.

Deering was 2-7 and eighth in the region after sandwiching losses at Thornton Academy (5-3) and Falmouth (2-1) around a 7-3 win at Scarborough. Luke Hill had two hits and an RBI against the Golden Trojans. In the victory, Mike Jones earned the win, while Tre Fletcher and Josh Paisley each had two hits and two runs scored. Bennett Berg added two hits. Against the Yachtsmen, Berg had two hits and an RBI. The Rams went to Windham Monday, host Sanford Thursday, welcome South Portland Saturday and go to Biddeford Tuesday of next week.

Portland was 4-4 and 11th in Class A South following wins at Sanford (8-0) and Westbrook (15-1, in five-innings) and losses at home against Noble (6-0) and at South Portland (6-5, in 11-innings). Against the Spartans, Donnie Tocci earned the win, throwing six scoreless innings, allowing four hits. He also singled and tripled. In the win over the Blue Blazes, Tocci and Ben Stasium each finished with a pair of hits, while Brian Riley earned the victory. Against the Knights, Jake Loranger’s two-out hit in the seventh inning allowed the Bulldogs to avoid being no-hit. After going to Bonny Eagle Tuesday, Portland welcomes Windham Thursday, hosts Cheverus Friday and plays host to Massabesic Tuesday of next week.

The Waynflete/North Yarmouth Academy co-op team was 2-5 and ninth in the Heals after losses at Sacopee Valley (6-3) and St. Dom’s (1-0 and 10-6 in a doubleheader). After hosting St. Dom’s Monday and Old Orchard Beach Tuesday, the Flyers welcome Buckfield Wednesday, go to Richmond Friday and visit Old Orchard Beach Monday.

Softball

The Cheverus/North Yarmouth Academy co-op softball team was 5-4 and sixth in the Class A South Heals at press time after wins at Bonny Eagle (15-2) and Falmouth (12-2) and a 10-2 setback at two-time defending Class A champion Scarborough last week. Against the Scots, Alex Hammond and Madisyn Durgin each homered twice and Elizabeth Kennedy hit a home run as well. Hammond had three hits total and Mackenzie Turner earned the victory. In the win over the Yachtsmen, Turner had two hits and fanned 12 and Durgin and Sydney Plummer hit home runs. The Stags went to Kennebunk Monday, host Gorham Wednesday, visit Massabesic Friday and welcome Marshwood Monday of next week.

Portland snapped a four-game skid last Wednesday with a 4-3 come-from-behind home win over South Portland, then fell to 3-5 and 13th in the region after an 11-5 loss at two-time Class A champion Scarborough. In the win, Caroline Lerch singled twice, homered and drove in two runs and Halloran Chase had the game-winning RBI double. Against the Red Storm, Laini Legere had two hits and two RBI. The Bulldogs hosted Westbrook Monday and went to Deering Tuesday, visit Thornton Academy Wednesday, host Biddeford Friday and travel to Windham Monday of next week.

Deering fell to 0-7 and 16th in Class A South after a 13-1 (six-inning) setback at Biddeford and a 19-0 (five-inning) home loss to Bonny Eagle. Liz Drelich homered in the loss to the Tigers. The Rams went to Gorham Monday, hosted Portland in a makeup game Tuesday, welcome Falmouth Wednesday, play at Marshwood Thursday and host Kennebunk Monday of next week. 

Boys’ lacrosse

Defending Class C boys’ lacrosse state champion Waynflete has overcome its 0-2 start with four straight victories, including wins last week over visiting Gardiner (11-2), visiting NYA (18-12) and host Deering (12-4). Miles Lipton had four goals and Harry Millspaugh three against the Tigers. In the win over the Panthers, Lipton and Zane Moorhead both scored six times. The Flyers (4-2 and fifth in the Class C Heals) hosted Freeport Tuesday, go to Cony Saturday and welcome Lake Region Tuesday of next week.

In Class A North, Portland suffered its first loss, 7-6, in overtime, at Bonny Eagle, then improved to 6-1 and fifth in the Heals after an 8-5 win at York Saturday. Miki Silva had four goals against the Wildcats. The Bulldogs welcome Massabesic Wednesday.

Cheverus was 1-6 and seventh in Class A North after an 11-5 home loss to Kennebunk, a 9-7 win at Messalonskee and a 16-6 home loss to Lewiston. Colby Anton and Will Haley each had two goals against the Rams. In the victory, Andrew Leach’s first as coach with the program, Haley scored four times, while Anton and Ethan Hammond both had two goals. The Stags are at defending Class A champion Thornton Academy Friday.

Deering fell to 1-6 and eighth in the region after a 13-2 loss at Gorham and a 12-4 home setback to Waynflete. After going to Falmouth Tuesday, the Rams host Mt. Ararat Friday.

Girls’ lacrosse

Portland’s girls’ lacrosse team started 0-2 before winning four in a row, capped by victories last week at Brunswick (12-2) and Edward Little (15-3). Against the Dragons, Annika More led the way with five goals.

“We like to spread the ball around and I think that’s an advantage,” Portland coach Beth Broderick said. “We’re not known as one of the ‘best’ teams in the state, but we’re looking to grow and improve by spreading the ball around and increase the likelihood the threat is going to work out for us.”

Against the Red Eddies, Annika More and Isabella More each scored four times, while Chloe Kilbride had three goals. The Bulldogs (4-2 and sixth in the Class A North Heals) host Noble Thursday, Cony Friday and Westbrook Tuesday of next week.

Cheverus was 3-1 and fourth in the region after a 13-8 home loss to Kennebunk last week. Bella Booth had three goals in defeat. After going to Windham Monday and hosting defending Class A champion Falmouth Tuesday (see theforecaster.net for game story), the Stags visit Sanford Thursday and welcome Deering Tuesday of next week.

Deering fell to 0-6 and ninth in Class A North after home losses last week to Windham (18-3) and Winslow (14-5). 

In Class B, Waynflete was 2-4 and 11th after a 10-2 home loss to Falmouth and a 5-3 setback at Marshwood last week. Emi Boedeker had two goals against the Hawks. The Flyers hosted York Monday, go to defending Class B champion Cape Elizabeth Thursday (see theforecaster.net for game story) and visit defending Class C champ Lake Region Tuesday of next week.

Outdoor track

Deering’s boys were second and the girls third at a four-team outdoor track meet at Scarborough last week (the Red Storm came in first in the boys’ meet, while Marshwood won the girls’ competition). 

Deering’s boys then came in third at the Westbrook Relays.

Portland hosted Falmouth, Kennebunk and Thornton Academy. The Bulldogs were fourth in both the boys’ and girls’ meets, which were both won by the Golden Trojans.

Cheverus’ boys and girls both came in third in a five-team meet at Sanford. Waynflete’s girls finished fifth.

Tennis

Cheverus’ girls’ tennis team was atop the Class A South Heals at press time with a 7-0 record after wins last week at Portland (4-1) and Westbrook (5-0) and at home over South Portland (5-0). The Stags host Scarborough Friday, then close Monday at 11-time state champion Falmouth.

Cheverus’ boys improved to 6-1 (and seventh in Class A South) with 4-1 wins last week over Westbrook, Gorham and South Portland. The Stags are at Deering Wednesday and close the regular season at home against defending champion Falmouth Monday.

Portland’s girls were 4-2 and fifth in Class A South entering Monday’s home match versus Massabesic. 

The Portland boys fell to 3-4 and ninth after 5-0 losses last week to Deering and Falmouth.

Deering’s girls’ team was 1-5 and 12th entering Monday’s home match versus Bonny Eagle. The Rams visit Cheverus Wednesday, then host Falmouth Friday.

Deering’s boys were 5-2 and fifth entering Monday’s match at Bonny Eagle. The Rams host Cheverus Wednesday and visit Falmouth Friday.

The 11-time Class C state champion Waynflete boys were 6-2 and third in Class C South entering Monday’s match at Greely.

Waynflete’s girls were 3-4 and sixth in Class C South entering Monday’s home match against Greely. 

Times Record staff writer Eric Maxim contributed to this story.

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