Bears’ bench shined when stars went dim

In order to be successful, every team needs quality or timely production out of its role players. They aren’t the stars but they are very important.

During the ECAC Tournament, sophomore left fielder Chad White, freshman first baseman Gabe Duross, and freshman DH Glen Stupienski all came through for the Bears.

That helped the Bears compensate for subpar tournaments turned in by senior center fielder Mark Sweeney (5-for-18), junior second baseman Ti18), and senior right fielder Gary Taylor (3-for-18).

White, who hits in the ninth spot, went 10-for-20 with two triples and three runs batted en route to all-tourney honors; Duross went 6-for-17 with five RBIs including a 4-for-5, two-RBI performance in the 12-2 championship win over Northeastern and Stupienski went 1-for-3 in the tourney but drove in three runs in a pair of games.

Stupienski knocked in two runs in the 5-2 winners bracket win over Fordham with a fielder’s choice and bases-loaded walk and then delivered a pinch-hit, two-out RBI single in the ninth inning of Maine’s 5-4 tourney loss to Northeastern.

“Chad and Gabe have had lots of tournament experience at all levels and that has helped them a lot,” said Maine Coach John Winkin. “Glen hasn’t had as much but he’s had an excellent year.”

White got off to a slow start, hitting just .222 with 13 strikeouts in 45 at-bats in the first 12 games on the spring trip.

“I didn’t concentrate at all on the Florida trip and I got in a big slump,” said White. “Then Coach (Winkin) sat me down and that helped me.”

White began intensifying his concentration and he has turned in a .417 average over his last 18 games.

“I opened my stance a little bit and that has enabled me to see the ball better,” said White, who is now hitting .304 on the season with 2 homers, 5 doubles, 5 triples and 29 RBIs. “Now I’m seeing the ball with both eyes instead of just the front one. I have bad eyes anyway.”

He loves hitting in the ninth spot because “you see a lot of fastballs.”

In addition, Winkin said the speedy White has made himself into a very good left fielder and plans to move him to center field to replace Sweeney next year. White has made 3 errors in 70 chances.

Duross has hit .324 over his last nine games to raise his overall average to .263. He has 3 homers and 30 RBIs.

“I had hoped to do better this season but I’m starting to feel good at the plate right now,” said Duross. “I’ve been seeing the ball well and have been able to pick up the curve ball earlier.”

Duross, who has fanned just 19 times in 198 at-bats, has also been very solid defensively, sporting a .985 fielding percentage.

“He’s come along a lot faster than I expected,” said Winkin. “You get spoiled having a (Mike) DeLucia over there but Gabe has done an excellent job.”

Stupienski will enter the tourney on a hot streak, hitting .486 over his last 11 games with 10 RBIs. He is now hitting .378 overall with 1 homer and 21 RBIs.

“I’ve been very pleased with my season so far,” said the switch-hitting Stupienski. “I was hoping to get some playing time and hit .300 this year but I’ve played much more than I had expected.

“I’ve been happy about getting the chance to play,” added Stupienski. “I just try to do the best I can. I try to hit the ball hard every time up.”