STANDISH – With each batter that strides to the batters box, a purpose follows.

When the Woodland softball players step up to that plate, they’re there to swing.

And most times, there’s nothing feeble about their effort.

“We don’t want them taking called third strikes,” said Woodland coach Rick Pullen. “We tell them, ‘When you carry the bat up there, it’s not for decorations.'”

The Dragons carried a big stick to the plate and connected in a big way in an 8-2 win over Buckfield in the Class D state championship game Saturday at Ward Field at Saint Joseph’s College. Woodland pounded out 13 hits and the Bucks couldn’t keep pace.

“They hit the ball,” said Buckfield coach Ken Farrington. “We couldn’t match them hit for hit, and we had to.”

Though the Dragons have won state titles in basketball, this was the first state crown in softball for the school. It also ended the Bucks’ two-year reign as state champions.

“This is great, especially it being the first time and being on the first team to make it here,” said junior pitcher Shelby Bassett.

Bassett led the Dragons (17-4) with three hits and two RBI. Ashley Laking, Molly White and Julie Nicholas each had a pair of hits and drove in a run.

“We hit the ball pretty well,” said Pullen, whose team struggled to hit in the Eastern Maine final. “We usually hit like that. We beat (Eastern C champ) Calais 6-1 in the DAC. We hit the ball hard then, and they have a good pitcher and they don’t make errors.”

The Bucks (14-4) couldn’t match that production. Bassett held Buckfield to just two hits in the game. Pitcher Brittany Wiley had a bunt hit in the sixth to break up the no-hitter. Abby Bragg had a single in the seventh. The Bucks had some fine defensive play in the field. Melissa Taylor made some sparkling plays at second while LeAnn Abbott, the lone senior, was stellar in center field.

“I was kind of shaky at the beginning,” said Bassett, who struck out 10. “Then I calmed down. I figured it was just a game and came out of it. I was really nervous at first.”

After falling behind 3-0 in the first inning, the Bucks tried to rally. Two walks helped Buckfield scratch out two runs in the bottom of the second to get within a run. That was as close as the Bucks would get. Woodland made some fine defensive plays to squelch any other threats. The Dragons turned a double play in the third by getting a runners out at home and at first. Woodland also caught Ally Martin trying to steal third in the fourth.

“They got down and it seemed like they were getting more and more in the hole,” said Farrington. “They couldn’t seem to get out of it. We needed something to happen. We needed that spark to get us going, and we couldn’t do it.”

The Dragons struck for three runs in the first on three hits and two Buckfield errors. With one out, Nicholas singled in a run. She then scored on a pair of errors on a Bassett grounder. Taylor Cochran made it 3-0 by doubling in Bassett.

“That really helped us a lot and built up our confidence,” said Bassett. “This year, our team has really come through with hitting. We’ve really progressed with that, and that helped us out a lot.”

The Bucks got two runs back in the second. Martin scored on a double steal and Sami Jones later scored on a wild pitch.

Woodland added three more in the fourth on another trio of hits. White singled in Kelsey Worden, and Bassett followed with a two-run single to make it 6-2. The Dragons added another in the fifth when Laking doubled in Worden. Cristine Boomer scored on an error in the seventh.