By Bob McPhee,Staff Writer

BANGOR – Brady Blackman pitched a complete-game three-hitter as St. Dom’s captured its first Class C baseball state title with a 2-1 triumph over George Stevens Academy at Mansfield Stadium in Bangor on Saturday.

St. Doms (17-1) earned a little redemption after having lost to GSA, 12-2, in the state game last year.

The Saints had set up the rematch after Blackman and Brent Carey combined on a one-hitter in a 10-0 win against Telstar in the regional final.

“This is just an unbelievable feeling,” St, Dom’s coach Allen Turgeon said. “There were not a lot of expectations when this team (assembled). A lot of credit goes to our captains Jon Rutt, Jake Albert and Brady Blackman. They led by example and the rest of the team believed in the tradition of St. Dom’s baseball.”

The Saints explosive offense was held in check, however, they took full advantage of a window of opportunity in the third inning. Justin Fongemie and Peter Lewis each drew walks as Eagles pitcher Dan Hilts was plagued by wildness. The runners advanced on a wild pitch and Fongemie scampered home on another wild pitch.

Albert fouled off a suicide squeeze attempt, but redeemed himself two pitches later by popping a bunt past GSA first baseman Colin Henry, which allowed Lewis to score easily.

Blackman (8-1), meanwhile, pitched out of a bases-loaded, no-out, jam in the first inning. The Eagles had the sacks full and Blackman recorded a strike out. Albert caught a ground ball at third and threw a strike to catcher Mike Carpenter, forcing Blake Wessel for the second out, and Mike Griswold threw across the diamond on a ground ball for the final out.

“That was big for (team),” Blackman said. “If they had scored in the first, then things might have been different, but we got out of it. It was a key.”

The Eagles reloaded the bases in the bottom of the third, but only Phineas Peake scored on a Ross Gallagher single. Saints second baseman Fongemie caught a ball over his shoulder and Blackman struck out the next two batters.

“I felt great on the mound,” Blackman said. “My fastball was working and I was (spotting) the ball and throwing strikes. So, I had no concerns.”

Blackman did issue six walks (one intentional), but finished with eight strikeouts and started a 1-6-3 inning-ending double play in the fifth. GSA (15-5) remained in striking distance largely because of Hilts, who stranded three baserunners over the final four innings.

“As a team, we always try to go in with a strategy,” Turgeon said. “We didn’t know a lot about George Stevens, but after having played them last year, we knew they were a fastball hitting team. We also knew that we had to play good defense and we made some big plays.”

Wessel led off off the bottom of the seventh with a deep drive, however, leftfielder Andy Allen (two hits) raced back and made an over-the-shoulder catch. Blackman snared a low line drive for the second out and struck out Lucas Marks to end the game.