STANDISH — The hope for Buckfield on Saturday was that history would not repeat.

Unfortunately for the Bucks, it did just that — in more ways than one.

After falling behind early in last year’s loss in the state championship, Buckfield was hoping to avoid a similar start. Instead, the Bucks fell behind by a pair and watched Bangor Christian maintain that lead the rest of the way in a 4-0 win. It is the second straight Class D state title for the Patriots.

“One big key was to have a strong start,” Buckfield coach Joe McLaughlin said. “Last year, we gave up five runs and we wanted to change that and get up early.”

Buckfield battled back in last year’s 7-3 loss to the Patriots in the state game and were still within reach down just 2-0.

“When we got out of there with the two, we stay pretty loose,” said McLaughlin. “If it was four or five, it might have been different. We just couldn’t string the hits together.”

Buckfield pitcher Jonah Williams produced a superb outing for the Bucks (14-2). He scattered nine hits and struck out seven and walked just one. He gave the Bucks the chance it needed.

“That’s the best pitcher we’ve seen Class C or D this year,” said Bangor Christian Mike Poulin. “It was nice to see him pitch really well, but it was nice to still see us hit.”

The Patriots (19-1) have outscored teams 41-0 in the playoffs this year and that included three one-hitters in the regional tourney. Buckfield got a pair of hits from Williams while Jeff Pepin and Jared Eastman each singled. The Bucks just couldn’t get a rally going and only had five base runners the entire game.

“The story today was the bats,” said McLaughlin. “(Ben) Bragg did a good job keeping us off balance. We just couldn’t find the open areas.”

In addition to allowing just four hits, Bragg struck out seven and walked just one. After walking the first batter of the game, he retired the next 10 straight. Buckfield didn’t get its first hit until Williams singled in the fourth.

“I’ve had him since fifth grade,” said Poulin. “I totally trust him. I totally trust (catcher) Rem (Poulin). I didn’t really have a lot of worries as far as a breakdown or anything. He’s been through many championships and understands what it takes mentally.”

Cody Collins had three hits and drove in a run for the Patriots. Zach Palmeter and Bragg each had a pair of hits.

“We’ve only faced one other lefty,” said Bragg, who has won six state titles in high school career between baseball and soccer. “He could throw it pretty fast, but his off-speed was pretty good too.”

The Patriots took the lead in the first with two hits and one Buckfield error. Zach Palmeter led off with a single. After a strikeout, Cody Collins reached on an error. The Bucks thought they might get a double play when Palmeter turned to come back to first, thinking Williams had caught a line drive by Collins. When Williams threw to first, it was dropped and Palmeter reached third.

“We had a chance there,” said McLaughlin. “We could have gotten a double play really easily. That was a really unfortunate play. Our first baseman has done so good this year. It was such a freak thing that happened. I’ve been so proud of that kid all year.”

Palmeter then scored on a passed ball.  Bragg followed with an RBI double for the 2-0 lead.

“We’ve been jumping on people right off,” said Poulin. “I don’t know if its the pitchers not being quite ready and loose or they aren’t used to us and are just throwing fastballs. We’ve been a really good hitting team in the playoffs.”

Bragg cruised along after starting the game with a walk. He never allowed the Bucks to get more than one runner on per inning. His quick delivery big game experience proved too much for the Bucks.

“The first inning I had a little trouble, but I found the strike zone later on,” said Bragg. “I had to get used to the mound. It was a little different. It was solid clay. So I had to get used to it.”

Bangor Christian added a run in the sixth with two outs. Collins led off with a single. After back-to-back outs, Tucker Rice walked. With runners at the corners, David Peters delivered a single up the middle to score Collins.

Another two-out hit made it 4-0 in the seventh. Seth Pearson walked with two outs and stole second. Collins followed with a single up the middle.

“We knew they were going to be really stout defensively,” said McLaughlin. “They weren’t going to give any outs away. We knew we needed to find the open areas and we just couldn’t bunch them.”