Seven Maine players among league’s best

Mike MacDonald was virtually unhittable during the 2002 America East baseball season.

The University of Maine sophomore, who posted a miniscule 0.79 earned run average in six league starts, was rewarded for his efforts Wednesday when he was named the America East Pitcher of the Year.

The Black Bears, the regular-season champions, placed seven players on the All-America East teams announced during Wednesday night’s steak and lobster postseason banquet at the UMaine field house.

Sophomore Simon Williams of Portland was named a first-team outfielder, freshman Aaron Izaryk was tabbed as the first-team designated hitter and was an All-Rookie pick. Sophomore pitcher Mike Collar joined MacDonald as a first-teamer.

Joe Drapeau of Biddeford was selected as the second-team third baseman while Black Bear outfielder Mike Ross and catcher Alain Picard were also chosen for the second team.

Vermont outfielder Jeff Barry was named the Player of the Year, Stony Brook pitcher Jon Lewis was the Rookie of the Year and Vermont’s Bill Currier took Coach of the Year honors.

The other All-America East first-team picks were catcher Luke Carlin of Northeastern, first baseman Ryan Cuscovitch of Hartford, second baseman Mike Grasso of Albany, shortstop Bobby Tewksbary of Vermont and third baseman Ron Acabbo of Hartford. The first-team outfield consisted of Williams, Barry and Eddie Scott of Albany.

MacDonald posted a 6-2 record with a 3.25 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 69? innings. League opponents batted .150 against him and scored only four runs in six games.

“He pitched well against everybody. He had a .79 ERA in the conference,” said UMaine coach Paul Kostacopoulos, who also pointed to Collar’s exceptional spring, during which he went 8-2 with a 2.80 ERA and 66 Ks in 74 innings.

“They’re both very good pitchers and we’re just fortunate to have them,” Kostacopoulos said.

Collar, a sophomore righthander from Scarborough, was the Rookie of the Year last season. He has a 16-2 record and a 3.15 ERA in his UMaine career.

Izaryk came into the season as the Bears’ No. 3 catcher, but earned playing time there and as a DH. His .384 average is tops on the squad and he provided a homer and 18 RBIs.

“He surprised everybody,” Kostacopoulos said. “Aaron goes in and does the job when called upon. He had a great impact on our season.”

Williams batted .380 with eight homers and 35 RBIs. He stole 21 bases in 23 attempts.

Ross, the Bears’ lone senior and a team captain, had another productive season. He batted .309 with eight homers, 41 RBIs and 18 stolen bases.

“He’s driven in a lot of runs and stolen a lot of bases,” Kostacopoulos said. “He’s done a real good job for us.”

Drapeau, the first-team catcher a year ago and the top rookie in 2000, again put up some impressive numbers for UMaine. The junior batted .344, leading the league with nine home runs and 53 RBIs.

“Joe put in another real solid year for us. He continues to do the job,” Kostacopoulos said. “He drives in a lot of runs for us.”

Picard’s presence behind the plate has been a boon to the Bears. The junior boasts a .350 batting average with six homers and 46 RBIs. He also has stolen 12 bases.

“He’s an incredibly valuable commodity,” Kostacopoulos said. “I don’t even focus on Alain’s offense because he’s so good behind the plate.”