Quick exit opens Black Bears’ eyes Improvement areas become obvious

LOS ANGELES – While the University of Maine baseball team wasn’t overmatched during its brief stay at the NCAA Los Angeles Regional, it was apparent the Black Bears have a gap to bridge in tournament competition.

Coach Paul Kostacopoulos’ team played solid ball in its games, but it was clear teams such as Cal State Northridge, Brigham Young and Southern California are faster, more polished defensively and have considerable pitching depth.

UMaine pitchers were unable to get away with mistake pitches, those left up in the strike zone or out over the plate. Opposing hitters were quick to capitalize when that happened.

“These kids are playing year-round since they were 8 years old,” UMaine junior Joe Drapeau said of the other Regional participants, whose rosters were filled with players from California and other warm-weather climates. “We’re not too far behind, but there’s some things you can see that slow us up,” he added.

The Bears are severely hampered by being trapped in the field house all winter and during a great portion of the season. This spring, UMaine was unable to get outside much because of the poor weather.

And UMaine does not consistently encounter the level of competition it encountered in L.A.

However, Kostacopoulos and the Bears aren’t making excuses. They realize playing in an NCAA Regional should help them build toward the future.

“This experience of being here is going to be tremendously valuable; not only just playing here, but now we’ve got a taste of it; we’ve got [higher] goals for next year,” Kostacopoulos said.

“That’s to get back here and win some games in the tournament next year,” he added. “Come fall baseball, that will be the first thing on our minds.”

The fatigue of traveling all the way across the continent and adjusting to the three-hour time difference was another factor that may have hampered the Bears.

“I think we might have been tired a little bit,” said junior catcher Alain Picard. “I think we gave all our energy.”

Picard possible draft pick

Picard likely is the only UMaine player to have a good chance of being selected in Wednesday’s Major League Baseball amateur draft.

Picard is a candidate because of his hitting prowess and power, speed, defensive skills and strong throwing arm. However, the 6-foot, 205-pounder from Ste.-Foy, Quebec, has been plagued by injuries the last two seasons and has been unable to catch full time.

This spring, Picard batted a career-best .340 with six home runs and 52 RBIs, also the most in his three seasons with the Bears. He was an All-America East second-team pick at catcher.

Picard has been bothered all season by a weightlifting injury to his right shoulder and has not been able to throw as often or as well as he is capable.

Picard, who is planning to play this summer with the Bourne Braves of the prestigious Cape Cod league, said Saturday he will consider the possibility of signing. Players drafted as juniors generally receive more enticing signing bonuses, unless they have a superb senior season that significantly improves their stock.

Kostacopoulos would like to see Picard return for his senior season at UMaine and expects he will do so.

Young finishes with flourish

UMaine outfielder Aaron Young capped his season in impressive fashion, putting together a 14-game hitting streak.

The junior from Augusta went 5-for-9 and scored a run as the Bears’ leadoff batter at the NCAA Los Angeles Regional. His efforts were magnified by the absence of sophomore Simon Williams, who missed 12 of the last 13 games with a shoulder injury.

The speedy Young struggled early, but finished the season at .305.