MAINE vs. SACRED HEART

Time, site: Friday (9 innings), 2 p.m.; Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, Conn.

Records: Maine 12-2; Sacred Heart 5-9

Series, last meeting: First meeting

Top hitters – Maine: DH Jon Hambelton (.490, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 15 Runs Scored), CF Mike Livulpi (.452, 5 RBI, 4 SB), 2B Quin Peel (.424, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 4 SB), 3B Joe Drapeau (.361, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 19 RS), LF Mike Ross (.313, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 16 RS); Sacred Heart: CF Matt Lemanczyk (.450, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 14 SB), 2B Bill Eller (.320, 7 RBI), 1B Brian Bruckhorst (.375, 2 HR, 16 RBI), SS Brian Moir (.304, 7 RBI), C Brian Rojee (.250, 1 HR, 7 RBI)

Pitching Matchups

Maine Black Bears Sacred Heart Pioneers

ERA W-L Svs ERA W-L Svs

RH Mike MacDonald 3.94 2-0 0 RH Tom Asta 8.50 0-4 0

Outlook: UMaine, off to its best start in history, wants to continue the momentum it generated during the spring break trip heading into their America East weekend series at Drexel (Pa.). However, Friday’s weather forecast is calls for rain. The Bears have won 27 of their last 35 games (.771) dating back to last season. Livulpi boasts a 10-game hitting streak, while Peel has hit in eight straight. MacDonald pitched six innings of one-hit ball March 22 in a 3-1 win at Florida A&M. Sacred Heart, which moved up to Division I for 1999-2000, is coming off Wednesday’s 10-9, nine-inning win at Rhode Island.