ORONO — Where do you hang a championship banner when you no longer have a school gymnasium? Where does the trophy go without a case in the lobby?

Jayden Lynn graduated from St. Dominic Academy last year as a member of three consecutive baseball state championship teams. At the beginning of this spring, he was excited about his younger brother, Kessel, a St. Dom’s junior, trying to keep the streak going.

When he found out that when the season was over, and there wouldn’t be another for St. Dom’s, the season took on new meaning for Jayden, who helped coach the St. Dom’s middle school team this spring. Next year, Kessel will be at North Yarmouth Academy.

“It’s devastating. When you graduate, you want to give back to your school,” Jayden said.

Lynn and countless St. Dom’s alumni no longer have a school to give back to. St. Dom’s is officially closed. The baseball team’s 9-6 win Saturday over Bangor Christian in the Class D state final at the University of Maine’s Mahaney Diamond was the school’s last public showing.

It was the fourth consecutive state title for the Saints, who would be graduating just two seniors and returning a lineup that would contend for a fifth straight title, if only.

“Three freshmen in the starting lineup. As the season went on, we knew we were coming together. In the end, we were a great team. It’s just disappointing you can’t come back and do it again,” said Bob Blackman, the Saints’ longtime coach. “The baseball field, in general, was their sanctuary. They were able to go to baseball practice, be on the field, and not have to think about all the things that were going on inside the school walls. That’s where they had their pleasure. You can close our school, but you’re not taking baseball.”

The St. Dom’s community has known for weeks that when the spring sports season ended, the school did, too. An effort to lease space to keep the school going for the 2025-26 academic year was halted in late May, meaning the playoffs have been an inevitable march to finality.

With that knowledge in the back of their minds, the Saints fought for every inning of the Southern Maine tournament. It took 11 innings to beat Richmond and advance to the state championship game for the fourth straight season.

“We have a tough group of kids here and we fought. We don’t quit,” said junior center fielder Riley Daigle, who scored three runs in Saturday’s win. Daigle said he doesn’t know where he’ll go to school next year. “It’s unfortunate we can’t do it again next year.”

Saturday’s win was the 12th in a row for St. Dom’s

“They know it’s their last try at it,” said Ryan Apodaca, whose son, Jacobi, was the freshman designated hitter Saturday for the Saints. Jacobi is hoping to attend Monmouth Academy next year, Ryan said. This team has been so much fun to watch, said Corri Apodaca, Jacobi’s mother and Ryan’s wife.

The Mahaney Diamond public address crew played Queen’s “We Are The Champions” as the Saints posed for pictures in front of the scoreboard in right field. The piano in the song sounded more haunting with this listening.

More pictures were taken. Somebody had the idea to get all the St. Dom’s students and alumni in one photo together.

“All the Saints! Teachers too!”

Ben Dumais, a junior, started the game at third base, then came on in relief in the sixth inning to get the save. He’s going to Cheverus next year. He’s bringing a piece of St. Dom’s with him.

“It means family. It means community. I’ve grown up with these people. These are my best friends. We’re going to miss this place,” Dumais said.

The sun set over Mahaney Diamond. The scoreboard had long been shut off, as had the music. The Saints and their fans, family and friends lingered in the outfield. Leaving meant it’s really over. Nobody wanted that.

“St. Dom’s was special. I looked forward every year, every day, 3 o’clock for practice. The boys were great, always respectful. It was easy to do,” said Blackman, adding that he won’t actively look for a new coaching job, and will only consider it if the right one comes his way.

Where does the banner hang when the school is closed? Where does the trophy reside? The 2025 St. Dom’s baseball team knows. It’s in their hearts.