By Michael Hoffer
MaxPreps.com
It seemed like it lasted an eternity, but traces of winter have pretty much disappeared, meaning it's now time for the short, but sweet spring sports season. There have been a smattering of baseball and softball games, along with a few tennis matches and everyone gets in on the fun starting this weekend.
Baseball: Deering Serves Notice
On the diamond, the biggest news in the early going is that the powerhouse Deering Rams baseball team, the defending Class A state champion, is obviously taking its repeat quest seriously.
In their opener last week, the Rams went to Marshwood and pummeled a Hawks team that was viewed as a top contender, 16-0. Deering scored three runs in both the third and fourth innings, then iced the victory with a 10-spot in the sixth. After Marshwood failed to score in the bottom half, the game was called due to the mercy rule.
The Rams were paced by pitching ace Taylor Candage, one of the finest arms in the state. He and a prolific offense are reasons Deering is expected to win it again.
Thornton Academy, Portland, South Portland and Marshwood are other contenders of note in Western A.
In Western Class B, defending champion Greely was scheduled to open at St. Dom's last week, but that game was postponed due to poor field conditions. The Rangers are once again loaded on the mound and have a diverse offense, one which could lead them to another crown.
Falmouth, Poland, Yarmouth, Oak Hill and Maranacook are also in the hunt.
Falmouth opened its season with an impressive 8-3 home victory over Cape Elizabeth, another hopeful. Poland is also 1-0 after defeating Freeport 6-3. Yarmouth is feeling good as well after holding off Western C contender North Yarmouth Academy 7-5 in its first game.
Softball: Cape Elizabeth Picks Up Where it Left Off
The defending Class B state champion Cape Elizabeth Capers began their 2008 season with a 5-0 victory at Falmouth last week.
Cape Elizabeth pushed five runs across in the fifth. Junior standout pitcher Trish Thibodeau allowed just two hits and fanned 14. Morgan Mancall and Colleen Martin had multiple hits for the Capers. Lauren Donovan belted a two-run double.
Cape Elizabeth lost several key players to graduation, but having Thibodeau return on the hill, with Martin behind the plate will make them contenders again.
Fryeburg Academy, Greely, Falmouth and Yarmouth are also liking their chances.
Yarmouth began the season with a 22-0 (five inning) defeat of North Yarmouth Academy. The Clippers scored five in the first, four in the second, seven in the third, and six in the fourth before the mercy rule was invoked. Yarmouth had 13 hits, including three apiece from Becky Davis, Kate Durrell and Annie Dursema.
Teams haven't yet begun play in Western Class A. Scarborough was the undefeated state champ a year ago, but the Red Storm were decimated by graduation with the most notable loss being pitcher Kelsey Griffin, who was close to unhittable a year ago. Still, the Red Storm program is always full of good players so they don't figure to fall back too far.
The favorite this year appears to be Biddeford, the 2006 champion. South Portland (a regional finalist each of the past three seasons) is also knocking at the door as is Deering.
Lacrosse: Bangor Hosts Clinic, Scrimmage
While the rapidly growing and extremely popular sport of lacrosse has gained a foothold in southern Maine, teams are few and far between once you get north of Augusta. That could change in future years and those interested in the sport had an opportunity to see two of the finest schools take part in a clinic and scrimmage on April 12 in Bangor.
Cheverus and Waynflete made the trip north. After the clinic, there were two exhibitions. The boys' game was relatively close, but the Waynflete girls cruised to a win. The Flyers were eliminated by the Stags in last year's playoffs, so they were aching for revenge (the teams meet in a countable game May 3). Waynflete is the heavy favorite in Western Class B this year. Cheverus has moved up to Western A, where there are several potent squads.
The lacrosse season begins in earnest next week.
Michael Hoffer is the sports editor of The Forecaster, a family of weekly newspapers based in Falmouth. Michael can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.com
