Bears still battling elements Games moved to R.I.

As the effects of winter linger in northern New England, the University of Maine baseball team continues to battle the elements.

The Black Bears, who still haven’t set foot on Mahaney Diamond in Orono, are resigned to playing their first “home” series of the season at a neutral site.

Coach Paul Kostacopoulos explained that this weekend’s series against perennial America East power Delaware will be played Saturday and Sunday at Bryant College in Smithfield, R.I.

“If that’s what you have to do to play the games, you have no choice,” Kostacopoulos said.

The games originally had been scheduled Friday and Saturday at Orono to avoid playing on Easter Sunday, but the Bears weren’t able to procure the Bryant field until Saturday. Monday is available as a makeup date, if needed.

“You just have to deal with it. If you spend too much energy focusing on it, it’s counterproductive to what you’re trying to do,” Kostacopoulos said.

The Bears continue to be hampered by their inability to get outside. Not only must they continue to practice in the field house, they’re disappointed that they can’t play at Mahaney.

“The players enjoy playing at home. I enjoy coaching at home,” Kostacopoulos said. “We like to have family, friends watching the games.”

The Bears play a Wednesday doubleheader at Division I Central Connecticut to get ready for the Blue Hens.

Trying to stay on track

UMaine, 18-5 overall and 5-3 in America East, is coming off a successful weekend during which it beat Harvard Friday, then took three of four against league foe Hartford. Kostacopoulos said it is becoming harder to gauge his team’s progress.

“We were disappointed that we didn’t get the fourth game, but we didn’t play well enough,” Kostacopoulos said. “We don’t practice outside during the week. We’re in that lull where we’re not sure we’re getting better. That’s tough.”

Jon Hambelton, Joe Drapeau of Biddeford, and Alain Picard were the big producers with the bats at Hartford. Hambelton, a senior designated hitter, batted .615 (8-for-13) with three home runs, two doubles, five RBIs, and seven runs scored.

Drapeau, a sophomore catcher, went 6-for-16 (.375) with two homers, five RBIs, and seven runs scored. Sophomore Picard was 5-for-11 (.455) with three homers, a double, and six RBIs.

On the mound, starters Rusty Tucker (3-1, 1.50 earned run average) and Mike Collar of Scarborough (4-0, 1.91) continued to shine. Tucker was named the America East Pitcher of the Week after tossing a four-hit shutout Saturday.

Reliever Matt Truman of Otisfield pitched well again, lowering his ERA to 1.54 with two scoreless innings in Sunday’s first game.

Injuries force Bears to adjust

UMaine has lost the services of starting second baseman Quin Peel, who suffered a fractured knuckle on his right index finger when he was hit by a pitch while squaring around to bunt during Sunday’s first game at Hartford.

The senior ranks second on the team with a .393 batting average and has two homers and 11 RBIs. Kostacopoulos said Peel is expected to miss at least two weeks.

While in Florida, Peel sustained a dislocated finger and a hairline fracture to one of his fingers, but missed only one game before returning to the lineup.

With Peel out, the Bears must make lineup adjustments. Picard, who began the year as the starting catcher, will play second base when possible.

However, Picard (.270, 5 HR, 17 RBI) has been plagued by a sore right arm and has had trouble throwing. His absence behind the plate has forced UMaine to make Drapeau its full-time catcher, which opened up the third base spot.

Sophomore Pat Tobin (.250, 6 RBI) and freshman Matt Reynolds (.333, 1HR, 8 RBI) have seen action at third. Reynolds was named the America East Rookie of the Week after going 5-for-13 (.385) with a homer and a double. He has an eight-game hitting streak.