The season that started with so many question marks, yet turned into the greatest season in Duxbury High School baseball history, came to an end on Saturday afternoon at LeLacheur Field in Lowell.

Taking on No. 1 seed and central Massachusetts champion Northbridge High School (22-1), the owners of a 22-game winning streak, the Dragons had little to fear after knocking off Masconomet Regional High School and ending their 23-game winning streak in the Division II eastern Mass. final earlier in the week.

Going into Saturday’s game, the Dragons weren’t too shabby themselves, riding an 18-game winning streak behind the pitching of senior captain Jeff Blout, brother Steve and sophomore Sam Jacobson.

The only question lingering over Duxbury’s chances was if Jeff Blout would be able to take the mound with three days rest for the second consecutive time.

“We just decided he’ll pitch about five minutes ago,” said Head Coach Barney Earle, as his squad took infield practice before the game.

It didn’t take the Rams long to get to Blout, as No. 2 batter Matt Consigli ripped a 370-ft. shot to left-center that missed being a home run by a couple of feet. Pitcher Evan Mackintosh helped his own cause immediately, singling home Consigli for a 1-0 lead.

The Dragons looked like they were set for a big offensive day when Joe Coyne hit a liner to short, Tom Guilfoile reached on an error, and Matt Savard singled, only to leave two runners stranded in the bottom of the first inning.

If Blout was nervous in the first inning, he quickly got over it, fanning the first two batters looking and blowing a fastball by centerfielder Jack Ryan in a 1-2-3 second inning.

Steve Blout led off with a single to start the second, but Mackintosh’s brilliant pick-off move caught the senior napping and he was retired in a run-down. It was the last serious scoring bid the Dragons would have until the end of the game.

Shortstop Tom Kazanowski started a nice double play to get Blout out of the third inning quickly, but it only led to futility on Duxbury’s end when Mackintosh struck out the side in the bottom of the third.

Blout got himself into a slight jam in the top of the fourth when Mackintosh hit a seeing-eye single to right and Greg O’Donnell battled the Duxbury righty before singling on a 3-2 pitch with no one out.

If there was any question about Blout’s durability on a 90-degree day, he ended it quickly by mowing down the next three Northbridge batters to keep the deficit at 1-0.

With runs at a premium, every one was crucial, as the Rams added to their lead in the top of the fifth.

Ryan led off the inning with a single and moved to second a passed ball. After Blout struck out No. 9 hitter Andrew Dupre, leadoff hitter Tom Murphy smashed a shot over the head of a speedy Guilfoile in centerfield, driving home Ryan for a 2-0 lead.

Duxbury could do nothing in the fifth; striking out twice, as the outs dwindled and Mackintosh became harder to figure out.

“He was moving the ball in and out with his curveball,” said Earle. “He throws mid-80s, but it becomes a lot faster when he gets his curveball over and spots his fastball. Then he throws a change-up and he keeps you off balance.”

Blout started to tire in the top of the sixth, as he walked two batters, but managed to escape and hope his offense could come to the rescue: it didn’t happen. Two more Duxbury batters went down on strikes and just three more outs separated the Dragons from seeing their dream season come to an end.

Blout took to the mound to start the seventh, but Murphy singled and the Duxbury ace hit Consigli, signaling the end of his brilliant high school career. He left to a standing ovation after throwing 108 pitches and surviving the aches and pains of carrying his team through the playoffs.

“There was no arm soreness. It was all in his side,” said Earle. “He got us into the sixth inning of a 2-0 game. What else can you say about him? He wanted the ball in the title game and he went out and battled as hard as he could. You can’t say enough about the respect I have for him. Now he can get some rest and get on with his Legion program.”

The Rams still had to face a Blout, as Steve came on in relief and struck out Mackintosh. An O’Donnell single loaded the bases and Ben Richards flied to center for a sacrifice, sending home Murphy for a 3-0 lead.

You can never say the 2010 Duxbury High School baseball team ever gave up. With two outs Earle sent speedy senior Tommy Drummy to the plate for Connor Inglis, and he beat the throw on an error by the second baseman to keep the dream alive.

Pat Sweeney and Kazanowski followed with singles to load the bases with two outs, filling the Duxbury faithful with visions of a dramatic comeback win.

Coyne got his moment to shine and hit a routine grounder to second base that was bobbled for an error, bringing home Duxbury’s first run and loading the bases once again.

Frustrated by his team’s lax defensive play, Mackintosh bore down and whipped three strikes down the middle of the plate to secure the win for Northbridge.

“We made it interesting in that last inning,” said Earle. “I can’t say enough about these kids. They worked hard all year and you wish you could go out on a winning note, but it just didn’t happen. It’s not going to take away from anything they did all year.”