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In spite of a sparkling 12-2 start, the best in the history of the program, the University of Maine baseball team has been picked to finish fourth in the America East preseason coaches’ poll.
Coach Paul Kostacopoulos’ Black Bears, who finished fifth last season, were picked to fall behind perennial power Delaware, the No. 1 choice, then Northeastern and Towson. Vermont, Hofstra, Drexel and Hartford round out the Nos. 5-8 spots.
The top four regular-season finishers earn a spot in the America East Tournament, which is scheduled May 17-19 at Wilmington, Del.
With conference play slated to begin this weekend at Drexel (Pa.), the Bears are leading the league with a .345 team batting average, 19 home runs and 73 bases on balls.
UMaine’s senior regulars are setting the pace at the plate. Designated hitter Jon Hambelton boasts a .490 batting average with four home runs and 22 runs batted in, all of which lead America East. Second baseman Quin Peel is fifth in batting at .424.
In the pitching department, UMaine ranks third in team earned run average at 4.03 and has issued a conference-low 34 walks. That is with freshmen Mike Collar of Scarborough and Mike MacDonald of Camden in the starting rotation.
However, the Bears have been less impressive on defense, committing a league-high 31 errors that has resulted in a .940 fielding percentage. Only Northeastern has a worse percentage (.936).
Giannini talks to Vols
University of Maine men’s basketball coach John Giannini has interviewed for the vacant job at Tennessee, The Tennessean reported.
The Nashville-based newspaper reported Giannini is one of five candidates, and that Tulsa coach Buzz Peterson is viewed as the front-runner for the job. Peterson won’t interview for the Vols’ post until after his Tulsa squad finishes its season. Tulsa played in the NIT championship game Thursday night.
Giannini was reportedly recommended for the job by former Tennessee star Ernie Grunfeld.
The four coaches who have already interviewed for the job: Gregg Marshall of Winthrop, Jeff Lebo of Tennessee Tech, Western Kentucky’s Dennis Felton and Giannini.
Giannini also interviewed for the University of Rhode Island job, which went to Jim Baron, and has been spoken about as a candidate at La Salle.
Begg, Hlywak net national honors
University of Maine athletes A.J. Begg and Leigh Ann Hlywak have been selected as National Strength and Conditioning Association All-Americans.
Hlywak, a junior third baseman for the UMaine softball team, was the America East co-Rookie of the Year as a freshman and was a second-team all-league choice last season.
Begg recently finished up his senior year as a co-captain of the Black Bear men’s ice hockey team. He was the runner-up for Hockey East’s best defensive defenseman and was second in UMaine’s plus-minus rankings with +12.
The NSCA All-Americans are recognized for their athletic accomplishment, academic and persona achievements, community involvement and leadership qualities. This year 173 athletes from 74 colleges were acknowledged for their enthusiasm and hard work.
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