The start of the 2002 college baseball season is still more than five months away, but the preparations have already begun at the University of Maine.

Coach Paul Kostacopoulos has been putting his Black Bears through their fall workouts in hopes of building upon the success of 2001.

In fact, the honors continue for UMaine, which was named recently as the No. 1 college team in New England by the BoSox Club, the official booster club of the Boston Red Sox. The organization also honors baseball champions at all levels in Massachusetts.

Kostacopoulos attended the club’s annual fall awards luncheon, which was attended by Sox owner John Harrington and general manager Dan Duquette. He was presented with a handsome trophy recognizing the Bears’ 36-15 season, the fifth-highest win total in program history.

Kostacopoulos was named the America East and New England coach of the year.

Back in Orono, the Bears have been striving for improvement among a veteran corps of returning starters and are looking to rebuild a pitching staff that suffered key losses.

UMaine lost ace lefthander Rusty Tucker, who signed with the San Diego Padres, and senior righthanders Simon Stoner and Kris Ehmke. The trio combined for 18 wins.

“Positionally, there’s some depth and we feel good about those guys,” said Kostacopoulos, “but if we don’t pitch, it doesn’t matter.”

The Bears return sophomore righties Mike Collar of Scarborough, the America East Pitcher of the Year, and Mike MacDonald of Camden, who combined for 13 victories and a 3.67 earned run average in their rookie seasons.

The returnees include righthanded relievers Adam Labelle, Ryan Foley, and Ryan Harris, along with lefthander Rich Laganiere, who sat out last season after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery.

Newcomer Scott Robinson of Ajax, Ontario, also is expected to vie for time, but is coming off a broken right (throwing) hand suffered prior to his arrival in Orono.

UMaine’s returning starters include catcher-third baseman Joe Drapeau, an All-New England and All-America East pick last spring. He’s joined by all-league, second-team outfielder Mike Livulpi.

Veterans abound in catcher-designated hitter Alain Picard, first baseman Pat Tobin, outfielders Mike Ross, Simon Williams, and Aaron Young, second baseman Matt Reynolds, 1B-DH Jesse Carlton, and shortstop Mark Reichley.