Brian Poire wasn’t ready to give up baseball last spring when the University of New Hampshire eliminated its varsity program.

After enduring an agonizing lame-duck season with the Wildcats, the junior infielder has found a home at the University of Maine.

Poire, the Black Bears’ starting third baseman, was the leading hitter for coach Paul Kostacopoulos’ team, which went 5-9 on its southern swing to Florida and South Carolina.

“Baseball is something I enjoy. It gives me that competitive edge,” Poire said. “I really couldn’t see myself without it.”

The 6-foot, 185-pound leadoff man from Barrington, N.H., batted .400 with a team-leading 22 hits, 20 runs, five doubles and 18 RBIs.

The lefthanded-hitting Poire is pleased to have the chance to play ball where the sport is valued. He has seen that evidence in UMaine’s facilities and the commitment of the coaches and players.

“It was tough playing a whole year knowing that you weren’t going to be there the following year,” Poire said.

“It’s so nice to be part of a program where you know the school’s behind you,” he said.

The southern trip provided Poire with a huge boost of confidence. He had struggled at the plate during the fall season, but quickly got into a groove when it counted.

Poire credits the UMaine coaching staff with helping him find his stroke.

“I had kind of a disappointing fall, but the coaches have spent a lot of time with me,” he said. “I kind of pressed a little bit trying to show Coach and my teammates what I could do.”

Defensively, Poire wasn’t as sharp down south as he would have liked. He committed a team-high six errors.

“I struggled a little bit defensively, but overall I think we’re going to be a strong defensive team,” said Poire, who played mostly at second base last season for UNH.

Poire believes the southern swing has enabled the Bears to work out some of the kinks and establish some team camaraderie.

“The chemistry is getting better and better every day,” Poire said. “Everyone’s on the same page and everyone’s got the same goal in mind. We all want to go out there and win.”

Emily Walker of Husson College in Bangor has been honored as an NAIA Division II Basketball All-America third-teamer.

Walker, a senior from Pittsfield, averaged 18.2 points on 60 percent shooting and grabbed 6.5 rebounds per game for coach Kissy Walker’s Braves. Husson compiled a 19-8 record, losing to the University of Maine-Farmington in the Maine Athletic Conference championship game.

The 5-11 forward was a high school standout at Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield.

Angie Ramos of Thomas College in Waterville was afforded honorable mention status. The 5-9 senior forward from Kezar Falls averaged 16.7 points and a league-high 12.7 rebounds for the Terriers.

Through March 1, Ramos’ rebound average ranked fourth in NAIA Division II.

Tickets for the 14th annual Hockey East Tournament at the FleetCenter in Boston on Friday and Saturday are available at the University of Maine ticket office and via TicketMaster.

The No. 6 Black Bears will play the No. 5 UMass-Lowell Riverhawks at 8 p.m. Friday after No. 2 Boston College plays No. 8 Merrimack at 5 p.m. The championship game will be at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets will be available at the UMaine ticket office in Alfond Arena until 4 p.m. Wednesday. To order by phone, call 207-581-BEAR or 1-800-756-TEAM. The cost is $15 and $20 per session. To order through TicketMaster, call 617-931-2000.

There will be a pregame rally for UMaine fans at The Harp restaurant across the street from the FleetCenter at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Representatives of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation will announce the 10 finalists for the 1998 Hobey Baker Memorial Award Friday in Bloomington, Minn.

The 10 finalists were chosen from ballots completed by hockey coaches at Division I schools. The recipient will be chosen by the 18-member Selection Committee, made up of national print and broadcast media, professional scouts, NCAA coaches, and a USA Hockey representative.

The Hobey Baker winner will be announced in Boston on Friday, April 3, the “off day” of the NCAA Ice Hockey Championships.