BANGOR, Maine – Jeff Fahey had no interest in describing his Bangor High School baseball team as a dynasty after the Rams secured their third straight Class A regional title Tuesday with an 8-0 victory over Edward Little of Auburn.
It’s not because the program isn’t used to having dynastic tendencies.
Bangor has won 11 Class A state championships since 1970, including four consecutive titles from 1994 through 1997 and another four-year run from 1971 through 1974 that produced two state crowns and four eastern Maine championships.
But there’s one more big game awaiting the current squad Saturday, and the chance to add a third consecutive state championship to their current run of success when they face Falmouth in a 1 p.m. start at Saint Joseph’s College in Standish.
“No, I call it three years of good teams,” said Fahey, who has been the head coach of the Rams for the last 16 years and also is a former Bangor High School player. “Every year is different, I think, because you’ve got different kids.
“I’m sure people want to call it that. Let’s see if we can win one Saturday first, and then people can talk and say anything they want.”
The battle between North champ Bangor (18-1) and South champ Falmouth (19-0) is one of four state baseball finals set for Saturday while high school softball state champs will also be crowned in four classes.
The Class C baseball state final will also be held at St. Joseph’s College, where North champ George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill (18-1) will take on South champ Sacopee Valley of South Hiram (16-3) at 4:30 p.m.
The classes A and C softball state finals also will be contested on the campus of St. Joseph’s College. North champ Bucksport (18-1) will challenge South champ Madison (19-0) in the Class C contest at 12:30 p.m., followed by the Class A final at 4 p.m., when South champ Biddeford (15-4) will play North champ Skowhegan (12-7).
The classes B and D state baseball finals will be decided at Mansfield Stadium in Bangor while the classes B and D softball championships will be held at Coffin Field in Brewer.
In softball action, North champ Stearns of Millinocket (16-2) will vie against South champ Richmond (17-0) at noon while the Class B final follows, featuring North champ Old Town (16-3) against South champ York (17-1) at 4 p.m.
In the baseball finals, Old Town (18-1) will take on Freeport (14-6) for the Class B crown at 11 a.m. and then North champ Penobscot Valley of Howland (17-1) will play South champ Searsport (16-3) in the Class D final at 3 p.m.
The Bangor baseball team has a 54-5 record during the last three seasons, beating Windham in the 2014 state final and South Portland for the championship last June before winning another regional crown as the top seed in Class A North this spring.
Two players on the current roster, pitcher Trevor DeLaite and shortstop Kyle Stevenson, are four-year starters for both the high school team and Bangor’s two-time defending state champion Coffee News American Legion squad coached by high school assistant coach Dave Morris.
“The Legion program in the summer is a town team so our kids are the only ones playing,” Fahey said. “It’s just a bunch of good kids with a bunch of good parents who have bought into our program, and our feeder program has produced some good players.
“I don’t think there’s a magic pill, it’s just that they work hard every single day and our [modus operandi] is to get better every single practice.”
The Rams are anchored by a pitching staff, featuring DeLaite and junior Peter Kemble, that has yielded just 20 runs in 19 games and thrown nine shutouts. DeLaite, 8-1 this spring and 23-2 throughout his high school career, is expected to get the start against Falmouth.
The Rams’ pitching staff has been supported by stout defense and the offensive lineup has grown steadily deeper throughout the season — No. 9 batter Ryan Brookings leads the team with 19 RBIs.
“We’re playing a really complete game right now. The defense usually gets overlooked, but it’s there. We’re making the plays,” senior third baseman Jesse Colford said. “I think we’re getting more and more confident and playing a more and more complete game every game.”
Falmouth is seeking its first state championship since moving up to Class A in 2014. The Yachtsmen have won four baseball state titles, three in Class C and most recently the 2012 Class B crown.
Falmouth is led by senior outfielder Connor Aube, a four-year starter who is the WMC Class B player of the year and a Mr. Baseball finalist. He will play next year at Division I University of Tennessee at Martin.
Coach Kevin Winship’s club also features lefthanders Cam Guarino and Reece Armitage, who combined to allow just three hits and two runs in three Class A South playoff games.