BRUNSWICK

We are at the midpoint — and past for some teams — of the spring sports seasons and some Mid-coast region squads have really risen to the top. Here is a sampling of a few.

Brunswick girls lacrosse is certainly in step with the boys, and the defending Eastern Maine Class A champs are on a roll.

With Wednesday’s 19-3 win at Camden Hills, the Dragons are sitting at 8-0, not including yesterday’s matchup at Messalonskee.

“I am really happy with this team,” lauded head coach Beth Caputi. “The seniors, Liz Faulkner, Molly Herman, Annie Kelly, Corinne O’Connor, Courtney Roderick, Suzannah Smith, Katie Swan and Caroline Wild, have set the bar high for their teammates, with a genuine commitment to do well this year, and everyone has responded, stepping up their play and staying focused, especially in our two, hard-fought one goal victories (against Mt. Ararat and Cony).

“I think we have yet to put together a game in which everyone is playing at full strength, but I’m confident the girls will coordinate their best games when it really counts.”

The Cony game, in which the Dragons led for all of 1:06 of the first half and seven seconds at the end in an 11-10 win, really proved Brunswick’s mettle. Both teams came in undefeated.

“Dakota Foster said it best after the Cony game, throughout the game and especially at the end of the game when we were down a player and by a goal — the girls never lost their mental focus,” said Caputi. “That is key and if we can maintain our focus as the games get tougher — which they will in these last weeks of the season — this team can go far.

Offensively, Foster leads but this is a TEAM effort. Brunswick owns a 119-48 goals differential.

“I think our hallmark on offense is our players’ unselfishness as demonstrated by the fact that 70 percent of our goals are assisted,” praised Caputi.

Foster, who is often the recipient of teammates’ passes, leads the Dragons in scoring with 45 goals and 17 assists. Other top scorers are Suzannah Smith (18-16), Annie Kelly (19-6), Caroline Wild (7-16), Corinne O’Connor (12-16), Jen Machin (4-6), Lillian Kjellman (4-2) and Liz Faulkner (4-3).

“First year starter Machin has been a great addition — steady and poised under pressure,” lauded Caputi.

“Draw control has been huge for us this year and no one has been better than Dakota at getting the ball in her stick … I believe our team has controlled close to 65 percent (or more) of the draws this season.

“Faulkner, Katie Swan and Molly Herman are the veterans on defense this year and they have been fearless throughout — both in handling opposing attacks and in their willingness to try new defensive strategies. Their confidence and leadership on the defensive end of the field has allowed us to throw different defensive looks at opponents. And, they have supported first-year starters Olivia LeRoy, Sasha Hampton and Caley Nicholson as they grow into their important roles.”

Brunswick hosts Gardiner on Tuesday and rival Mt. Ararat on Thursday.

Brunswick boys

The Brunswick boys lacrosse team has run roughshod over the competition — although Mt. Ararat gave them all the Dragons could handle Wednesday night in an 8-6 game — and has compiled a perfect 9-0 record with a 121-29 goals differential.

“It all starts with a long tryout process,” said head coach Don Glover. “We started with a full week to work with the kids. It’s a great group and they’re really dedicated to the game. These are also very unselfish kids from the goaltenders, to the defense, midfield and to the attack.

“And a big part of our success is the work ethic of these kids even at the jayvee level. And a big part is the full spectrum … we have lot of threesport kids. We push for that; I don’t want my kids playing lacrosse all year round … I want them playing basketball or soccer.

“We’ve been preparing for this season for a long time,” added Glover. “But I tell my kids don’t worry about the opposition, worry about yourself. Take advantage of your strengths, work on your weaknesses. If you do that, the scoreboard will take care of itself.”

Freshman Cameron Glover leads the attack with 26 goals and 16 assists, followed by Winston Sullivan (18-29), Seth Holmblad (19-13), Alex Croatti (14-8) and Bailey Caparratto (11-1).

“And other key for us has been the play of Sam Fortin, who has won his face-offs something like 85 percent of the time,” added coach Glover, who praised the defensive work turned in by Charlie Nau, Sam Bessey, Blake Bodwell, Joe Coffey and goaltender Theron Wilgus, who has 70 saves.

Brunswick is scheduled to host Oxford Hills on Monday before a key visit to Lewiston Wednesday. The Dragons close the regular season next Friday night at home against Cony.

Richmond softball

Richmond girls softball is also atop the Heal Point Standings.

Going into yesterday’s game at home versus Valley, the 9-0 Bobcats, defending Western Maine Class D kingpin, have a healthy 16 Heal- Point lead over Buckfield.

Pitcher Leandra Martin, who’s headed to Husson next fall, has been a workhorse for the Bobcats. She is 8-0 with 65 strikeouts and nine walks in 51 innings, while allowing just three runs.

“She has really pitched well for us,” said Richmond coach Rick Coughlin. “She’s healthy, she’s strong and she wants the ball. The other day at Greenville (doubleheader) I said ‘are you ready for one?’ And she said, ‘I’m ready for two!’ I think she can really pitch at Division One. She’s much stronger, more mature and having a great year.”

Lead-off batter Danica Hurley, who’s scheduled to play soccer at UMaine, is batting .677 with two triples, two home runs and 22 runs scored. “It’s just amazing what’s she’s doing at the plate,” said Coughlin. “You know she works out every day and she’s so much stronger … she’s just hitting the ball with authority.”

In the second hole, Bri Snedeker is batting .429 with 15 runs, while Lindsy Hoopingarner is batting .531 with 13 runs. “I do a lot of sacrificing, so if I have Danica on third, I will try to sacrifice her home with Lindsy, who’s very unselfish”

Ciarra Lancaster is batting .567 in the clean-up spot with two doubles, two triples and 10 RBIs.

“The season is going better than I thought it would,” said Coughlin. “Especially with has not giving up so many runs (three). I really think this is one of the best teams I’ve ever had. We’ve got great pitching, great catching, good defense, speed, hitting, and we can bunt.”

Morse baseball

The Morse baseball program is on an upswing in its first year at the Class B level.

Not including Thursday’s makeup game at home with Oceanside, the Shipbuilders are sitting at 8-2.

“I think they have met our expectations,” said assistant coach Rick Davis “We anticipated them doing well. They are an athletic and talented group of kids.”

Morse is off to its best start since 2002 when the Blue & White went 7-9 under Chris Wallace, One has to go back all the way to 1993 for a Morse team to earn more wins, 8-8 under Tom Ryan. In 1992, Morse went 9-7.

“I think we were up in the air heading into Class B, “ said Davis. “Class B was an entire new field for us. We have never faced these teams, nor have they faced us. Our goal was to make the playoffs. We have seniors on the team who are great players and have never played in a baseball playoff game.

“The biggest positive is they are a great group of kids. They are friends on and off the field and enjoy playing together. I think we have one of the best defensive teams in the league.

It’s been a funny season, with head coach Garrett Olson attending the Police Academy and unable to attend some games.

“This year has been difficult,” allowed Davis. “Garrett has been away at the Police Academy and he is one of our biggest strengths. I am a volunteer assistant coach and Marc Wood the other assistant has stepped up and has been a great asset. Even though I have been around for a few years, this is still Garrett’s team. On Friday (today), Garrett will graduate from the Police Academy and be around more, and I think that will be good for the team. Garrett is a true leader and I know the kids miss him.

“I think up the middle we are great with seniors Zach Groat at short, Gary Stevens at second and Wade Hunt behind the plate,” said Davis. “Wade has only had four steals against him this year. Gary Stevens is one of the best second baseman I have seen and Zach Groat does it all.

“Groat is hitting .430 with an on-base percentage of over .600. He is a smart base runner and can work his way home. Wade Hunt is a backstop behind the plate. Our outfield is fast and has great arms. Cody Hardin, Aaron Barrett and Paul Whalen are great and can play any outfield position. Sophomores Liam McDonough and Paul Whalen are playing the corners and have immensely improved.”

Still, the game is always about the mound.

“Pitching has been great,” lauded Davis. “We have a lot of kids that can throw. We have our main starters. Trent Moore, who started the season with a no-hitter, and Liam McDonough, who has stepped up and has three wins on the mound. We also pitch Aaron Barrett, who is a true pitcher and has one of the best pickoff moves I have seen. We have depth, too, as Zach Groat and Chris Luedee both are great to come in and throw and work hard.”

Chris Paulus is the team leader in batting with a .460 average, while Hardin leads the squad with 14 stolen bases.

“We also have depth on the bench, and we are comfortable putting anyone in the game at any time,” added Davis.

Morse is scheduled to visit Winslow today.

Lisbon boys tennis

The Lisbon boys have racked up a 7-3 record and host Madison today. The Greyhounds are currently ranked seventh in Western Maine Class C.

“One of our goals is to make the tourney, and it appears that we will reach that goal,” said head coach Paul Giggey. “Our schedule is solid at this point, but we will face more challenges as we conclude the season.

“Although not a surprise, the play of number-two singles Zack Turner is notable. He is much more aggressive and utilizes his knowledge and ability to play at a higher level. As a senior, his teammates look up to him for leadership.

“The early part of the schedule favored us in the win column. This gave us time to adapt our strategies and plans before we played the more challenging part of the schedule. The exception early in the season was playing St. Dom’s and Dirigo, both losses. Obviously, we learned from these defeats as well as our victories.”

Lisbon is playing well as a team.

“I think it (team chemistry) is very good,” said Giggey. “Number-one doubles Roger Jama and Aaron French work extremely well together, leading the path for upcoming doubles players. Rain has been a huge hindrance to the season, so frustration and patience can task team chemistry at times, but the players are ready to go when the sun shines.”

Lisbon’s last two matches are with ranked teams, so they control their own destiny.

“Absolutely,” said Giggey. “Like most coaches, I scout the opposition, then adapt accordingly. Practices are geared to fundamentals and strategies based on the oppositions’ strengths and weaknesses.”

Top singles players are Evan Keating at No. 1 (4-5), Turner No. 2 (8-1) and Levi Dussault No. 3 (6-3), while doubles teams are Jama and French (5-3) and Zach Cribbin and Mike Jenkins (6-4), while other players are Mitch Austin, Jacob Bremmer and Draven Walker.

GEORGE ALMASI is the Times Record sports editor. He can be reached at galmasi@timesrecord.com