College Baseball

MAINE vs. CENTRAL CONNECTICUT

Time, site: Wednesday (2), noon; Balf-Savin Fields, New Haven, Conn.

Records: Maine 18-5; Central Connecticut 12-12

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 13-3; Central Conn. won 6-5 in 1995

Top hitters – Maine: DH Jon Hambelton (.439, 7 HR, 29 RBI), CF Mike Livulpi (.378, 9 RBI, 6 SB), C Joe Drapeau (.365, 7 HR, 31 RBI), LF Mike Ross (.303, 3 HR, 23 RBI), 2B Alain Picard (5 HR, 17 RBI); Central Conn.: 1B John Mayette (.388, 17 RBI), OF Nick Macellaro (.338, 8 RBI), OF Robert Hosgood (.321, 1 HR, 20 RBI, 11 SB), SS Kevin Rival (.312, 2 HR, 22 RBI)

PITCHING MATCHUPS

Maine Black Bears Central Conn. Blue Devils

ERA W-L Ks ERA W-L Ks

RH Kris Ehmke 6.75 3-0 18 RH Lewis Pap’ariella 3.60 1-1 2

RH Ryan Harris 12.60 1-0 2 RH John Mayette 4.34 2-4 14

Outlook: The Bears get back outside for a nonleague twinbill against the Blue Devils. UMaine needs the outside playing time since it is unable to practice outside. Ehmke gets another start in hopes of working his way back into the weekend rotation. Harris, who has been used sparingly, earns his first collegiate start. CentConn is averaging 6.1 runs per game with a .282 team batting average. The Devils have dropped three of their last five games. UMaine checks in with a .327 batting average and a 3.81 ERA.