Bears’ season a success Proven performers bolster future hopes

Too often, a team’s success is measured by how its season ended.

The University of Maine baseball team shouldn’t get bogged down by its early elimination from last week’s America East Championship.

This UMaine team should instead be remembered for overcoming inexperience and injuries to become the No. 1 team in New England, a conference contender and the standard by which the Black Bears will be measured in the coming years.

Fifth-year coach Paul Kostacopoulos and his staff molded this club into a gritty and resilient squad that performed in the clutch and knew how to win.

UMaine finished 36-15, the most wins since 1991 (48-18), when prized recruits and success came much more easily to a program then unmatched in the northeast by reputation, scholarships, financial support and facilities.

The 2001 Bears were unspoiled by such advantages and instead did it the old-fashioned way – they worked for it.

UMaine’s resurgence began in mid-April, 2000. The Bears went 15-6 to end the season and the confidence carried over into the ’01 campaign. UMaine is 52-21, a .708 winning percentage, in its last 72 games.

The Bears headed south in March and promptly set a winning tone, tying a school record by winning their first eight games. UMaine built its success around a stellar starting pitching staff that combined for a 4.54 earned run average.

Junior lefthander Rusty Tucker demonstrated why he’ll be drafted next month, posting a 7-2 record and a 3.26 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 66? innings. He pitched six complete games with three shutouts on his way to America East Pitcher of the Year honors.

Senior transfer Simon Stoner, a righthander, was a strong No. 2 (6-2, 5.00, 57 Ks), while freshman righties Mike Collar of Scarborough, the AE Rookie of the Year, and Mike MacDonald of Camden exceeded expectations.

Collar went 8-0 with a 3.55 ERA, the best freshman debut at UMaine since Scott Morse went 10-0 in 1984. MacDonald was 5-2 with a 3.78 ERA.

Senior Kris Ehmke (5-1, 5.93) was the fifth starter, while senior Matt Truman of Otisfield (1-5, 3.32, 4 saves) and sophomore Adam Labelle (2-2, 4.28, 2 saves) were the bullpen mainstays. Frosh Ryan Foley (1-0, 2.40), senior Eric Johnson (0-1, 9.19, 3 saves) and freshman Ryan Harris (1-0, 10.54) also contributed.

With Tucker likely to depart along with two other senior starters and two closers, bringing in more talented pitchers will, as always, be a recruiting emphasis.

UMaine’s two full-time senior starters led the charge toward a .317 team batting average. First-team all-conference first baseman Jon Hambelton set the pace in America East with a .429 mark, the best at UMaine since Dan Kane hit .441 in only 59 at bats in 1984.

Hambelton’s .429 average in 161 at bats is the best season average in school history among hitters who logged at least 60 at bats. Hambelton’s 69 hits, 13 home runs and 20 doubles led the team and his 50 RBIs were second.

Second baseman Quin Peel, a co-captain and second-team all-star, overcame two finger injuries to bat a career-best .374 (3 HR, 22 RBI). He anchored the middle of UMaine’s infield, providing defensive stability.

The departure of Hambelton and Peel on the right side mean soph 1B Jesse Carlton (.290, 2 HR, 13 RBI), who was plagued by a bad hamstring pull, and dependable freshman 2B-3B Matt Reynolds (.317, 1 HR, 17 RBI), could step in.

UMaine’s catching depth was a major factor. Junior Joe Drapeau of Biddeford, who at 21 is also eligible for the draft, started 29 games behind the plate and was an All-America East first-team pick.

Dealing with a nagging back problem, Drapeau batted .333 with 12 homers and a team-high 51 RBIs. Sophomore C Alain Picard (.333, 8 HR, 39 RBI) was relegated to designated hitter because of a sore right elbow.

Their injuries opened the door for soph transfer Pat Tobin, who proved versatile and effective (.331, 2 HR, 25 RBI). He made 12 starts at catcher, 11 at third base and 11 at first. Freshman shortstop Mark Reichley (.221, 1 HR, 26 RBI) started 48 games and was steady defensively.

Versatility was a hallmark of this squad. Kostacopoulos was able to shuffle players around and still receive a high level of play.

UMaine boasted perhaps the most talented outfield corps in America East and all four regulars return. Soph CF Mike Livulpi (.328, 1 HR, 20 RBI, 12 steals) was an all-conference second-teamer, while junior LF Mike Ross (.293, 4 HR, 24 RBI) wound up sharing time with freshman Simon Williams of Portland.

Williams (.288, 4 HR, 18 RBI) provided more speed in left and stole 10 bases without being caught. Soph RF Aaron Young of Augusta (.273, 6 HR, 25 RBI) also showed improvement and was strong in the field. He stole 13 bases in 14 tries.

Senior co-captain Keith Genest of Augusta (.238, 1 HR, 14 RBI) was a utility player and leader for the Bears. Bucksport sophomore Pete Saunders of Bucksport chipped in as a pinch runner and reserve outfielder.

With Delaware, Towson, Drexel and Hofstra leaving America East and Albany, Stony Brook and Binghamton set to join, UMaine appears capable of assuming the role as the team to beat next year.

Loaded with good hitters, blessed by a fast outfield, and experienced in the infield, UMaine should be brimming with confidence. UMaine would seemingly need only bolster its pitching staff to pick up where it left off this season.