Northern: Midway point nears as spring sports season heats up

The weather is just starting to cooperate, and the spring sports season is chugging along.

The season is short and sweet, however, and some teams have already played half or more of the games on their regular season schedule.

The upcoming action will only grow in importance, and we’re just a few weeks away from the start of the playoffs.

With all of that in mind, here’s a glimpse where local teams stand:

Baseball

Greely’s Jackson Leding slides safely into home during last week’s win at Cape Elizabeth. Shawn Patrick Ouellette / Portland Press Herald

Greely’s baseball team bounced back from its only loss with decisive wins at Cape Elizabeth and Lake Region to improve to 8-1. Last Friday, at the Capers, the Rangers scored three first-inning runs and built a 10-0 lead before settling for a 10-3 victory, as Zach Johnston earned the win, allowing four hits; Ryan Kolben had four hits, including a home run, scored three times and drove in five runs; and Marky Axelsen and Brooks Williams each added three hits.

“We put (the loss) behind us,” Kolben said. “We had a great start to the season and that game told us if we don’t come to play, we can lose to any team. We came out here today and got back to what we do.”

“I don’t really care how many hits I give up,” Johnston said. “As long as there’s a zero (runs) when I’m throwing, then it’s fine with me. My fastball was definitely my best pitch today. My change-up was OK. My slider needed some work.”

“It was a nice bounce back,” added Greely coach Derek Soule. “I thought the pregame focus and the energy in general was better. The guys were ready to play from start to finish. We had three good days of practice. We don’t want to take anything for granted. Just a couple years ago we lost an entire season. Every one of these 16 regular season games is precious.”

At the Lakers, a 12-2 (five-inning) victory, Kolben homered, as did Axelsen, who also earned the win. The Rangers have a big stretch upcoming, as they host York Wednesday, welcome Cape Elizabeth Friday, go to Yarmouth looking to avenge their lone loss next Monday, then play host to reigning Class B South champion Freeport Wednesday of next week.

“We have great team chemistry,” Kolben said. “Everyone loves coming out to play. We couldn’t ask for a better start to the season.”

Freeport is also 8-1 after downing visiting Gray-New Gloucester (6-0), visiting Lake Region (8-1) and visiting Fryeburg Academy (5-2). Against the Patriots, Blaine Cockburn threw five shutout innings and struck out 10 while Aaron Converse had three hits and two RBI. In the win over the Lakers, Cockburn, Converse and Keigan Shea had multiple hits. Against the Raiders, Nate Abbott had a couple hits and earned the victory. The Falcons host Poland Wednesday, then are idle until next Wednesday, when they go to Greely.

Yarmouth was 5-3 after a 5-4 loss at York and a 3-1 home win over Poland. Gibby Sullivan homered in the loss to the Wildcats, in a game where York scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Against the Knights, Sullivan drove in a pair and Liam Hickey earned the victory. The Clippers go to Gray-New Gloucester for a playoff rematch Wednesday, visit Wells Friday, welcome Greely Monday and play host to Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday of next week.

Falmouth capped a five-game surge to start the season with wins last week over visiting Deering (8-1) and at Biddeford (2-0). Against the Rams, Eli Cowperthwaite earned the win, Brennan Rumpf had a three-run double and Brady Coyne added a pair of hits. In the win over the Tigers, Dom Tracy was the winning pitcher and Ethan Hendry drove in both runs. Saturday, the Navigators fell to 5-1 after an 8-1 home loss to Thornton Academy. Hendry homered for the lone run. Falmouth was home versus Noble Tuesday, goes to Cheverus Thursday, welcomes Scarborough (see theforecaster.net/sports for game story) Saturday and plays at Marshwood Tuesday of next week.

The Waynflete/North Yarmouth Academy co-op team was 5-2 after winning at Traip Academy (4-0) and losing at St. Dom’s (5-2) last week, then downing visiting Old Orchard Beach (7-1) Monday. In the victory over the Rangers, Cole Lambert threw a shutout. Waynflete/NYA welcomes Maranacook Wednesday, visits Sacopee Valley Friday, then plays host Traip Academy Monday of next week.

Softball

Freeport’s softball team continues to enjoy its best season in decades. The Falcons, who last posted a winning record in 2001, improved to 6-3 after sandwiching home wins over Gray-New Gloucester (8-3) and Fryeburg Academy (13-8) around a 9-5 setback at Lake Region. Freeport, which hasn’t won seven games in a regular season in 20 years, has a chance to do that Wednesday when it hosts undefeated Poland (see theforecaster.net/sports for game story). The Falcons are at Greely next Wednesday.

Greely fell to 3-6 after recent losses at reigning Class B state champion Cape Elizabeth (15-0, in five innings) and at Lake Region (9-7). Mia Stewart homered against the Lakers. The Rangers host York Wednesday, welcome Cape Elizabeth Friday, go to Yarmouth next Monday, then play host to Freeport Wednesday of next week.

Yarmouth fell to 0-8 after losses at York (11-1) and at home to Poland (16-4, in five innings). Emma Butsch had two hits and two RBI versus the Knights. The Clippers go to Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday, visit Wells Friday, welcome Greely Monday and play host to Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday of next week.

Falmouth dropped to 0-5 after an 8-1 loss at Westbrook last week. The Navigators welcomed Scarborough in a playoff rematch Tuesday, go to undefeated, reigning Class A South champion Biddeford Wednesday, host Windham Friday and visit Cheverus Monday.

Boys’ lacrosse

Falmouth’s boys’ lacrosse team improved to 3-2 after holding off visiting Windham, 7-6, in overtime, last week. Rory Skillin-Lanou had three goals and Cyrus Boothby scored the winner in OT. The Navigators go to Portland Wednesday, host South Portland Saturday and travel to Marshwood next Tuesday.

Yarmouth, the two-time reigning Class B state champion, dropped a 15-12 decision at York, then improved to 4-2 after a 15-9 home win over Messalonskee last week. The Clippers visit Cape Elizabeth Wednesday and go to Freeport Wednesday of next week.

Greely fell to 0-6 after losing at defending Class A champion Cape Elizabeth (17-4) and at home to Thornton Academy (11-2). The Rangers look for their first win Wednesday at Gray-New Gloucester. They host NYA Saturday.

In Class C, NYA won its fifth game in a row to start the season, 5-3, at Wells last week, then fell to 5-1 with a 14-6 home loss to York. The Panthers hosted Freeport Tuesday and go to Greely Saturday.

Freeport fell to 1-4 after an 8-7 home loss to Cony last week. The Falcons were at NYA Tuesday and go to Morse Saturday.

Girls’ lacrosse

Yarmouth sophomore Kadin Davoren keeps the ball away from Scarborough senior Erin Bresnahan during the Clippers’ win last week. Michael Hoffer / The Forecaster

On the girls’ side, Greely accomplished something last week that was 17 years in the making. The Rangers, who lost to Yarmouth last year in the Class B state final, beat the host Clippers, 13-7, last Tuesday for their first win over their nemesis in 19 tries and their first since April 23, 2005. Charlotte Taylor led the way with five goals and Eva Williams added three.

“It is such a testament to Yarmouth and the program Coach (Dorothy) Holt runs that it took us this long to get the win against them,” said Greely coach Becca Koelker. “Getting the victory against a perennial championship program like them did instill in our team a stronger sense of self-belief and confidence. Yet, while we enjoyed the win, ultimately our definition of success isn’t beating one team but in getting better each day, individually and as a team, so that ideally we can compete consistently with all the top teams. Facing Yarmouth again (May 18) will be a true test of where we stand in reaching that goal.”

The Rangers then won their fifth straight game and improved to 5-1 Saturday with an 11-1 victory at Messalsonkee, as Carley Ferentz scored five goals and Taylor added four. Greely is home versus reigning Class C champion Waynflete Wednesday and goes to Fryeburg Academy Friday.

Falmouth took a 3-1 record into Tuesday’s home game versus Gorham. Last week, the Navigators beat host Cheverus, 14-7. Sloan Ginevan had four goals and Whitney Adams added three. Falmouth is at Scarborough Thursday (see theforecaster.net/sports for game story) and plays at Oxford Hills Monday.

Yarmouth lost at home to Greely (13-7) last week, then got back on track with a 16-8 win at Scarborough before improving to 4-3 Monday with a 15-5 home victory over Oxford Hills. In the setback, Katelyn D’Appolonia scored four goals. At the Red Storm, D’Appolonia scored a career high seven goals and Aine Powers added five while dominating in the draw circle, winning 19 of 26.

“I think we just practiced hard the past few days after a couple losses,” D’Appolonia said. “We just came out strong tonight and we didn’t give up the whole game.”

“We really needed a win,” Powers said. “We came out tonight and played Yarmouth lacrosse. We were in a rut for a couple games, but we have a good connection and we’ve got the energy we need.”

“We needed this one,” added longtime Yarmouth coach Dorothy Holt. “It’s hard when you have a really young team, but they’ve worked so hard in practice and that showed tonight. We’re not there yet, but it’s coming together and tonight was much needed to see the girls’ hard work pay off in the win column.”

D’Appolonia then scored six goals and assisted on four others, while Neena Panozzo added three goals in the win over the Vikings. The Clippers welcome York Thursday.

“I haven’t had a team this young with such a tough schedule in a long time,” Holt said. “I love the schedule. This is why we moved up to Class A. We just want to play with the best.”

Freeport, which lost in the Class C state final a year ago, improved to 4-1 after recent victories at Gray-New Gloucester/Poland (15-3) and at home over Lake Region (9-8). In the first win, Maddie Knight, Kate Tracy and Savannah Tracy all scored three goals. Against the Lakers, Kate Tracy led the way with three goals and three assists. The Falcons host Traip Academy Wednesday, go to Waynflete for a state game rematch Friday (see theforecaster.net/sports for game story) and play host to Brunswick Monday.

NYA fell to 2-3 after a 20-14 home loss to York last week. After playing at Lake Region Wednesday, the Panthers are at Gray-New Gloucester/Poland Saturday and visit Gardiner Tuesday of next week.

Outdoor track

On the track, Freeport hosted Yarmouth, along with Lake Region and Wells in a recent meet. The Falcons boys and girls both came in first while the Clippers boys and girls were runners-up.

Greely hosted NYA, Fryeburg Academy, Kents Hill, Sacopee Valley and York. The Rangers boys and girls were second to York. The Panthers boys and girls both came in sixth.

Falmouth joined Thornton Academy at Marshwood. The Navigators boys finished second and the girls placed third.

Tennis

Yarmouth’s reigning Class B champion boys’ tennis team improved to 6-0 after recent wins over Freeport (4-1), Greely (3-2) and Cape Elizabeth (5-0). The Clippers were at 13-time reigning Class C champion Waynflete Tuesday.

Yarmouth’s girls fell to 3-3 after recent losses to Greely (5-0) and Cape Elizabeth (4-1).

Greely’s boys were knocked from the unbeaten ranks with a 3-2 loss to Yarmouth, but improved to 5-1 Monday with a 5-0 win over Lake Region. The Rangers face Waynflete Wednesday, then will meet Yarmouth again Monday of next week.

Greely’s girls improved to 6-1 after recent 5-0 wins over NYA, Yarmouth and Lake Region.

Freeport’s boys were also handed their first loss by Yarmouth, 4-1, then beat Cape Elizabeth (4-1) before falling to 5-2 Monday after a 3-2 loss to NYA. The Falcons welcome Waynflete Tuesday of next week.

Freeport’s girls snapped a four-match skid and improved to 2-4 Monday with a 4-1 win over NYA.

Falmouth’s girls dropped a 3-2 decision at Scarborough last week, then improved to 5-2 with wins over Portland (5-0) and Thornton Academy (3-2).

Falmouth’s boys sandwiched 3-2 losses to South Portland and Thornton Academy around a 3-2 victory over Scarborough and was 2-4 at press time.

NYA’s boys improved to 3-2 after beating York (4-1) and Freeport (3-2). The Panthers welcome Yarmouth Thursday.

NYA’s girls fell to 0-4 after losing to Greely (5-0) and Freeport (4-1).

Greely’s Emma Lindsey advanced in the Region 5 girls’ singles tournament and will be the No. 7 seed. Also advancing were Falmouth’s Charlotte Williamson (eighth) and Greely’s Isobel Wright (ninth), Luna Smith-Mejia (10th) and Mia Netland (11th).

Greely’s Leif Boddie, Peter Rinehart and Charles Segal; Falmouth’s Sam Yoon; Yarmouth’s Will Best and Quinn Federle; and NYA’s Bryce Poulin advanced in the Region 5 boys’ singles tournament.