ORONO – Tony Fernandez is a quiet guy by nature. After four years struggling to find his role on the University of Maine baseball team, the senior from Bangor is making some noise on the field.

Fernandez stroked two of his team’s 18 hits and provided a sacrifice fly Tuesday night during a 17-5 thumping of Colby College at Mahaney Diamond.

The third baseman helped the Black Bears post their sixth straight victory. Maine is 17-19 heading into today’s 4:30 p.m. contest against 22-8 Massachusetts at Hadlock Field in Portland.

The White Mules from Waterville dipped to 8-12.

Fernandez refused to quit despite three inconsistent seasons at UMaine heading into 1998.

“I knew I was going to have a battle over at third base this year, as with every year,” admitted Fernandez, who didn’t make the southern trip. “I’m just glad I stuck with it and worked hard through the winter. I’m working hard now, and good things are happening.”

Fernandez was instrumental in three UMaine rallies against Colby. He singled, stole second and scored during a four-run second inning; singled, stole second and scored in the Bears’ five-run fifth; and delivered a sacrifice fly in a three-run seventh.

“My timing’s been kind of off lately, but I think I turned that corner today,” Fernandez said. “It’s all focus and staying with it mentally.”

Kostacopoulos complemented Fernandez’ determination.

“He hasn’t mailed it in. He’s realized that, `OK, I need to keep working and something good will happen.’ I think he’s gathered a little bit of momentum and he’s playing well for us right now.”

Freshman Brandon Brewer of North Yarmouth continued his quest for a starting spot in the outfield, pacing Maine with four singles and two RBIs. T.J. Sheedy smacked two doubles good for two RBIs and scored four runs scored, while Brian Poire contributed three hits and two RBIs.

Gabe Memmert added a pair of singles, while Rex Turner cranked a two-run home run.

Freshman Rob Worcester (2-0) earned the win, allowing four runs and seven hits in six innings. Sophomore Jared Cochran finished up with three innings of one-hit relief.

Jonathan Hiltz and Miguel Gonzalez had two hits each for Colby.

Leading 2-1, Maine made its first big push in the second inning. Brewer and Fernandez stung singles to center field, then executed a double steal. Keith Croteau followed, spanking a slicing, two-run double down the right-field line.

One out later, Sheedy roped a run-scoring double up against the fence in left. Memmert capped the rally with an RBI single to center, giving the Bears a 6-1 advantage.

Maine’s other key hits included: Turner’s two-run shot in the first; an RBI double by Sheedy and an RBI single by Memmert in the fourth; RBI singles by Poire in the fifth and sixth; and Brewer’s RBI singles in the fifth and seventh.

Fernandez displayed his defensive prowess in the first, making a diving stab of a Greg Domareki grounder and turning it into an inning-ending double play.

Domareki rapped a two-run double in the third for Colby.

Black Bears 17, Mules 5

Colby Maine

Name ab r h bi Name ab r h bi

Gonzalez, cf 5 1 2 0 Poire, 2b 6 2 3 2

Tripp, 2b 4 0 1 0 Sheedy, cf 4 4 3 2

Forsyth, 2b 1 0 0 0 Hewey, cf 1 0 1 0

Paquette, ss 3 2 0 0 Memmert, 1b 4 1 2 2

Stickney, ph 1 0 0 0 Halsted, 1b 0 1 0 0

Goldman, 1b 2 1 1 1 Turner, lf 4 1 1 2

Ryan, ph 1 0 0 0 Coombs, lf 0 1 0 0

Domareki, rf 4 0 1 3 Bracali, dh 4 0 1 1

Hiltz, lf 4 0 2 1 Brewer, rf 5 2 4 2

DiStasi, 3b 4 0 0 0 Frnandez, 3b 4 2 2 1

Welch, dh 4 0 1 0 Domurat, c 2 0 0 0

Smith, c 3 1 0 0 Hmbelton, ph 0 1 0 0

Pantazis, c 2 0 0 0

Croteau, ss 3 2 1 2

Harvie, ss 1 0 0 0

Totals 36 5 8 5 Totals 40 17 18 14

Colby (8-12) 102 020 000 – 5

Maine (17-19) 240 251 30x – 17

E – Gonzalezx, Tripp, Di Bello; Fernandez 2B – Domareki; Sheedy 2, Croteau HR – Turner (9) LOB – Colby 8, Maine 6 DP – Maine 1 SB – Poire, Brewer, Fernandez, Croteau SF – Bracali, Fernandez

PITCHER IP H R ER BB SO

Colby

Welch (L, 1-3) 3 11 8 8 1 4

DiBello 3 5 8 3 2 3

Bradley 2 2 1 0 0 1

Maine

Wrcster (W, 2-0) 6 7 5 4 2 3

Cochran (S, 1) 3 1 0 0 0 5

HBP – Smith (by Worcester), Goldman (by Worcester); Halsted (by DiBello), Coombs (by DiBello) WP – Worcester TIME – 2:37 ATTENDANCE – 244