The University of Maine baseball program has lost an infielder and gained an infielder.

Shortstop-third baseman Mike Sidoti, who hit .239 as a freshman with 11 RBIs and was named to the All-North Atlantic Cconference Tournament team, was dismissed from school for academic reasons.

The incoming infielder is transfer Brian Zaun, who was the starting shortstop as a freshman at Butler University in Indiana.

Maine Coach John Winkin said Sidoti could have appealed and been reinstated by doing well in summer courses.

Sidoti would have also needed a strong academic semester in the fall to be eligible next spring.

“Mike is very disappointed,” said Vincent Sidoti, Mike’s father. “But he realizes he made a mistake by not paying attention to his grades so he is going to go to a school around here (N.Y.) and build his grades up.”

Vincent Sidoti said his son may return to Maine in a year if he can elevate his academic standing.

Zaun was chosen to the All-Midwestern Collegiate Conference Newcomer Team. Zaun, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound native of Maple Grove, Minn., hit .328 with two homers, and 23 RBIs. He made 11 errors.

“I’m disappointed to lose Sidoti,” said Maine Coach John Winkin. “He was a very aggressive player. We lost a good bat and an experienced bat.”

He said he has heard a lot of positive things about Zaun.

“I’ve heard he’s a good hitter with a strong arm,” said Winkin, who will look at him at short and third.