(Ed. Note: For the complete South Portland-Kennebunk softball and Cape Elizabeth-Scarborough girls’ lacrosse game stories, with box scores and photos, please visit theforecaster.net)

While Mother Nature has been the undisputed champion the past couple of weeks, local athletes have managed to make the most of their opportunities.

While tennis is hitting its home stretch (please see story), baseball, softball, lacrosse and track are also winding down. Here’s a glimpse at where things stand and what’s to come:

Baseball-Signature win for Scarborough

Scarborough’s baseball team remains as good as any in Western Class A. The Red Storm hosted defending state champion Cheverus Saturday and earned a hard-fought 2-0 victory largely on the back (and arm) of ace Ben Wessel, who not only threw a three-hit shutout, but also drove in the runs with a home run. Scarborough held off host South Portland, 6-5, in a playoff rematch Monday, as Greg Viola’s two-run double and Nick Bagley’s go-ahead single helped the Red Storm rally from a 5-3 deficit n the sixth. Tuesday, the Red Storm improved to 9-1 with a 4-1 victory at Noble. Jayme Lappin was the winning pitcher, Bagley, Wessel and Connor McCann had two hits. Scarborough (third behind Marshwood and Windham in the Western Class A Heal Points standings as of Wednesday morning) was at Deering Thursday, hosts Gorham Saturday and Westbrook Tuesday.

South Portland lost 3-2 to visiting Windham Friday, won 3-2 at Gorham Saturday, then lost 6-5 to visiting Scarborough Monday. Against the Eagles, Matt DiBiase had two hits and two RBI. In the win, DiBiase had a two-run single, Nick Whitten rapped three hits and Jordan Muller and Shawn Shannon combined to earn the victory. Will Bushey had three hits and two RBI versus the Red Storm. Tuesday, South Portland downed visiting Bonny Eagle, 4-1, as DiBiase struck out seven to earn the win and Whitten had two hits and two RBI. The Red Riots (3-7 and 12th in Western A) were at Cheverus Thursday, go to Noble Saturday and host Portland Tuesday.

In Western B, Cape Elizabeth eked out a 7-6 (eight inning) home win over Fryeburg Friday. Will LeBlond scored the winning run on a passed ball and also went the distance on the mound. Saturday, the Capers lost at home to Yarmouth, 14-3, in five innings. Monday, Cape Elizabeth improved to 6-4 with a 4-2 win at Freeport as Charlie Laprade had a bases-clearing double and Sam Kozlowski went the distance. The Capers (sixth in the Heals) went to Lake Region Wednesday, play host to Wells Friday, go to Yarmouth Monday and welcome Falmouth Tuesday.

Softball-Red Riots make it eighth straight

South Portland’s softball team stretched its win to streak to seven with recent victories over visiting Kennebunk (4-0), host Marshwood (9-1) and visiting Cheverus (10-3). Against the Rams, Erin Bogdanovich threw a three hitter with six strikeouts and freshman Laurine German sparked a four-run sixth inning rally.

“I actually thought we’d score,” said German. “We were pumped and excited. We were all cheering each other on.”

“I knew if I had confidence in myself, I had the team behind me,” said Bogdanovich.

In the win over the Hawks, Danica Gleason had three RBI, Olivia Indorf homered, doubled and had two RBI and Bogdanovich threw a one-hitter. Against the Stags, Bogdanovich struck out 10 batters and Gleason and Indorf homered. The Red Riots (second behind Scarborough in the Western A Heals) hosted Deering Thursday, welcome Westbrook Friday, go to Biddeford Monday, Windham Tuesday and play host to Portland Wednesday.

“My goal this year is to get to the playoffs and I want to be at St. Joe’s (for the Western A Final) again,” South Portland coach Ralph Aceto said. “Anything can happen up there. If we get up there, I’ll take my chances with these kids. They play loose. Sometimes to a detriment. I’ve had to work harder than in the past three years, but I can’t say I’ve had more fun with a bunch of kids.”

Scarborough continues to set the pace in the region with an 11-0 record following wins over host Deering (18-1, in five innings), visiting Noble (14-2, in six innings), Massabesic (16-0, in five innings) and McAuley (11-0). Against the Rams, Dominique Burnham earned the win, had a pair of hits, three runs scored and drove in two runs. Alyssa Williamson threw a two-hitter, homered and doubled, while Mary Redmond had four RBI versus the Mustangs. Williamson homered and drove in five runs and Erin Giles homered and got the victory against the Knights. In the win over the Lions, Williamson homered, doubled, drove in five runs and Giles got another victory. The Red Storm was at Kennebunk Wednesday, plays host to Marshwood Friday, visits Cheverus Monday and is at Windham Wednesday.

In Western B, Cape Elizabeth dropped a 9-2 home decision to reigning champion Fryeburg Friday. The Capers rallied from an early 2-0 deficit and tied the score in the bottom of the first, but left the bases loaded after a controversial play and the Raiders went on to the win behind two booming home runs from Maddy Smith.

“I honestly thought that kid was safe at first in the first,” said Cape Elizabeth coach Joe Henrikson. “It would have been another run. Anything could have happened there. Let’s face it, Fryeburg’s a very good team. We competed. We were right there. The kids are playing well.”

The Capers bounced back Monday with an 11-3 win at Freeport, as Anna Goldstein threw a three-hitter. Tuesday, Cape Elizabeth improved to 6-4 (ninth in the Western B Heals) with a 27-1 (five inning) victory over visiting Traip. Emma O’Rourke had four RBI, while Shannon Nicholson, Mary Perkins, winning pitcher Kate Rabasca and Ashley Tinsman all had three runs driven in. Cape Elizabeth (10th in the Western B Heals) was at Lake Region Wednesday, hosted Yarmouth Thursday, welcomes Wells Friday, plays at Yarmouth Monday and plays host to red-hot Falmouth Wednesday.

Boys’ lacrosse-Still a perfect Storm

Scarborough’s two-time defending Class A state champion boys’ lacrosse team improved to 8-0 last Wednesday with a 19-5 home win over Gorham. Jon Blaisdell had four goals, while Ryan Pallotta and John Wheeler each finished with three. The top-ranked Red Storm was at No. 2 Kennebunk Wednesday, hosts perennial power Yarmouth Friday and Marshwood Wednesday of next week, then closes at home versus Thornton Academy May 30.

South Portland saw its two-game win streak end last Wednesday with a 5-3 loss at Thornton Academy. Thomas Leddy scored twice and T-Moe Hellier made 15 saves. The Red Riots (3-5 and fifth in Western A) end a 10-day layoff Saturday with a home game versus Waynflete. South Portland is at Kennebunk Wednesday.

In Western B, Cape Elizabeth tuned up for Wednesday’s pivotal showdown at Falmouth (please see theforecaster.net for the full game story with photos and a box score) with a 12-2 home win over Cheverus Friday (Alex Bornick, Justin Cary and Timmy Lavallee all had three goals). The top-ranked Capers go to Kennebunk Friday, host Fryeburg Tuesday and close with a trip to North Yarmouth Academy and a home test versus Yarmouth.

Girls’ lacrosse-Capers get statement win

Cape Elizabeth’s girls’ lacrosse team entered Saturday’s contest at two-time defending Class A state champion Scarborough highly touted, but in need a statement victory against a top power. The Capers went out and got it, never trailing, opening a 3-2 lead into a 9-2 advantage and cruising home to a surprisingly decisive 11-5 victory behind four goals each from standouts Talley Perkins and Lauren Steidl and 13 saves from goalie Elin Sonesson.

“It feels great,” said Steidl. “We worked really hard and I think we really played as a team. We came out here to have fun. Win or lose, we wanted to play good lacrosse. When you get up at the half, you have to keep playing as strong as you did in the first half. That was a rough game we had the other night and I think that fueled the fire today. It gives us so much more momentum for our next games. It’s a very big confidence boost. We all trust each other a lot. We weren’t scared for this. It was a beautiful day out. It feels great.”

“We knew (Scarborough would be) strong,” said Talley Perkins. “They’re Class A. We were the underdogs. We knew we had nothing to lose. Everyone expected us to lose, so we used that as fuel. Being the underdog is helpful.”

“I’m at a loss for words,” added Cape Elizabeth first-year coach Jeff Perkins, following the win. “It’s not necessarily what I expected. We had our work cut out for us. I told the girls I believed in them, to go play Cape Elizabeth lacrosse and see what happens.”

The Capers improved to 8-0 Tuesday with an 19-8 home victory over Freeport and leapfrogged Waynflete for the top spot in the Western B Heals. Steidl had six goals, Ella Robinson four. After going to Fryeburg Friday, Cape Elizabeth hosts Wells Monday and closes with a home game versus York and a pivotal showdown at Falmouth.

“Falmouth is the big Heal Point game,” coach Perkins said. “You have to beat the best to be the best, but it would sure nice to have that No. 1 seed.”

Scarborough was coming off an 11-10 come-from-behind win at Cheverus. The Red Storm was up 5-0 early, watched that lead slip away, then was down, 10-8, late, but rallied to tie behind two goals from Mary Scott, then won it on Laura Przybylowicz’s goal with 1:05 remaining. Scott led the way with five goals.

“We were worried, but we knew we had to keep it together,” Scott said. “Four minutes is a lot in lacrosse. We knew we could come back. Momentum is really important in lacrosse. We got it finally and we were able to finish it.”

“I think scares like this are good,” said Scarborough coach Marcia Wood. “It can happen if we don’t play our game. We’re not used to it. Everyone brings their ‘A’ game when they play us and we need to bring ours.”

In the loss to the Capers, the Red Storm’s first since April 30, 2011, snapping an 18-game win streak, Przybylowicz and Scott both had two goals.

“Cape’s very good,” said Wood. “Their goalie’s phenomenal. They deserved to win. They have finishers. It’s not a bad thing to be put in our place. I wish it was a little closer and that we could walk off the field and say we played our best and lost. “

Scarborough improved to 7-1 Monday by rallying to beat visiting Thornton Academy, 7-6. Scott had three goals, Kelsey Howard two. The Red Storm (first in Western A) was home with Gorham Thursday, goes to Marshwood, then has a big test at rival Kennebunk May 24 before closing the regular season at home versus Windham five days later.

South Portland has won three straight and was 5-3 and seventh in Western A at press time. Last week, the Red Riots were victorious at Biddeford, 12-4, and Freeport, 8-5. Against the Falcons, Lani Edwards, Olivia Edwards and Aimee LaPlante all scored twice. Tuesday, South Portland held off visiting McAuley, 13-9, in a game the Red Riots never trailed. Lani Edwards scored five times, while Ericka Lightner and Anh Nguyen each had three goals. Jackie Merrill grabbed eight ground balls, while Lani Edwards and Jenna Wing both had six.

“We gave Scarborough and Thornton Academy good games,” said South Portland coach Bill Fenton. “Our defense is playing well. Once we started controlling the ball today, we started scoring.

The Red Riots were at Windham Thursday, host Deering Monday and go to Portland and host Bonny Eagle to close the year.

“Portland has a pretty good team,” said Fenton. “That would be a good win Points-wise and everything else. We’re having a blast. It’s a really tight group of girls this year.”

Track

The Scarborough girls welcomed Cheverus, Massabesic and Thornton Academy Monday and was second to the Golden Trojans. Red Storm winners included Nicole Kirk in the 100 (12.92 seconds) and 200 (25.99), Emily Tolman in the 800 (2 minutes, 19.84 seconds), Catherine Bailey in the pole vault (9 feet, 6 inches), Haela Booth-Howe in the javelin (97-8) and the 1,600 relay team (4:09.95).

Scarborough’s boys went to Cheverus Tuesday and was joined by Massabesic and Thornton Academy, and placed third behind the Stags and Golden Trojans. Event winners included Jacob Terry in the two-mile (10:33.5), Kevin Manning in the pole vault (12 feet) and the 3,200 relay team (8:35.4).

South Portland’s girls hosted Kennebunk, Sanford and Windham Monday and came in first. Event winners included Lauren Magnuson in the 100 (13.74), Clara Ellis in the 200 (28.62), 400 (1:03.57) and triple jump (30-10), Vanessa Johnston in the racewalk (9:55.54), Hope Garrison in the shot put (24-7.5) and the 400 relay (54.02).

The Red Riots boys joined Kennebunk and Sanford at Westbrook Monday and were second to Sanford. Xavier Gagne won the racewalk (9:05.7). Ryan Tuttle was first in the 300 hurdles (45.3). Steven Zanis was first in the discus (107-6). Joey Zelasko took the shot put (37-6). South Portland also won the 400 relay (47.8)

South Portland hosts the regular season finale Friday, against Scarborough, Cheverus, Deering, McAuley and Portland.

The SMAA championship meet is May 26. The Class A state meet is June 2.

Cape Elizabeth joined Gray-New Gloucester and Sacopee at York. The girls finished third and the boys placed fourth. Billy Brooks won the boys’ 100 (11.5).  The girls won the 3,200 relay (11:22.2). Christina Kouros  took the 400 (1:34.7) and 800 (3:09.9) wheelchair. The Capers close the regular season with a home meet versus Falmouth, Greely and Yarmouth Friday. The Western Maine Conference championships are May 26. The Class B state meet is June 2.

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

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Scarborough senior Ben Wessel cracks a home run to give his team a lead against defending Class A champion Cheverus Saturday. Wessel then closed out the 2-0 victory with a complete game on the mound.

Cape Elizabeth senior Elin Sonesson is hounded by Scarborough senior Mary Scott during the teams’ girls’ lacrosse showdown of unbeatens Saturday. Sonesson made 13 key saves in the 11-5 Capers win.

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