AUGUSTA — Saco struggled offensively in its first game against Portland Bayside in the 11- and 12-year-old Little League state tournament, scoring just two runs in its only loss of the tournament. Saco had no such struggles the second time around, as Timmy Smith led off the bottom of the first with a home run as Saco won a rematch in the championship round 12-4 at Linscott Field on Thursday.

“It sets the tone, no question, for your leadoff guy to put one out. And it sends a message to the other team in a hurry,” said Saco manager Todd Duchaine.

Smith’s homer was the lone run Saco scored in the first, but more came the next inning. Portland Bayside tied the game in the top of the second on a solo home run by Walt Lewandowski, but Saco quickly regained the lead. Andrew DeGeorge led off the bottom of the frame with a single, and Hunter Penley followed with a double. Michael Bourgault then blasted a three-run home run to right to give Saco the lead back. Saco scored two more runs in the inning on a single by Anthony Bracamonte and a wild pitch thrown by Portland Bayside relief pitcher Nick Boyle ”“ who was facing his first batter after starter Ben Sawyer was knocked out of the game.

“It was really good to have the momentum on our side, and from there, we just kept pounding it,” said Smith.

Trey Fletcher led off the third with a home run for Portland Bayside, but again Saco starting pitcher Brogan Searle-Belanger shut the door after that.

“He’s dominant,” said Duchaine. “That’s what we needed. Folks have been asking me ”˜when’s Brogan going to pitch?’ And, well, they saw him tonight.”

Saco added another crooked number to the scoreboard in the bottom of the third, as DeGeorge reached base to lead off again ”“ this time after getting hit by a pitch in the ribs. Two batters later, Daniel McLeer belted a home run well over the fence in left to make it 8-2. Saco added another run in the inning as Matthew Duchaine reached on one error and scored on another.

Saco scored a single run in the fourth after Searle-Belanger led off with a deep double and scored on a sacrifice fly and an error. That came after he got out of jam on the mound in the top of the inning by striking out Fletcher with a runner on third.

Portland Bayside started to rally in the fifth as Searle-Belanger’s pitch count started to rise. He walked the first two batters of the inning to reach the 85 pitch limit, bringing Bracamonte in to pitch in relief. Sawyer greeted Bracamonte with a single past third to plate one run. Bracamonte walked Lewandowski to load the bases, but struck out Grady Black to get the first out of the inning. Josh Paisley dropped a single into right to bring in another run, but Landon Heidrich gunned the ball into Smith at home to tag out pinch runner Griffin Buckley trying to score. Bracamonte then struck out Hayden O’Donnell to end the rally.

“It was really good, because if they came back, the momentum would be on their side,” said Smith.

Saco scored two more runs in the bottom of the fifth on a single up the middle by Lucke Chessie, making it 12-4. Saco could have ended the game via mercy rule, Penley grounded out with the bases loaded to end the inning.

Bracamonte struck out Danny Hill to lead off the top of the sixth, then was pulled in favor Chessie. Chessie gave up a single to Fletcher to give Portland Bayside one last chance to come back, but rain stopped that. The umpires stopped the game before Boyle stepped to the plate, and after a half-hour delay, the game was called.

The same two teams will match up again today ”“ weather permitting ”“ with a trip to the regional tournament on the line.

“We’re going to have to continue to hit and play defense. We feel confident in our pitching. Our pitching is still lined up,” said Duchaine. “Pitching won’t be the issue.”

“We’re going to come out with our hardest,” said Smith.

— Staff Writer Wil Kramlich can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 323. Follow him on Twitter @WilTalkSports.