Thanks to the Morse Field AstroTurf at Alfond Stadium, the University of Maine baseball team has been able to have some semblance of normal outdoor practices again this week.

As usual, coach Paul Kostacopoulos and the Black Bears are doing the best they can under the circumstances – mud, cold, rain, and lingering snow – to get in quality workouts as they approach the America East portion of their schedule.

“We always are able to get different infield situations in, whether it’s in the field house or out on the turf,” Kostacopoulos said. “We do the best we can.”

UMaine headed out Friday, through an early spring snowstorm, bound for Pleasantville, N.Y., where the 12-6 Bears hope to play a four-game weekend series against Pace.

UMaine had two games canceled last weekend by rain, and the threat of wintry weather could cost the Bears at least two of this weekend’s contests. Kostacopoulos is frustrated by his team’s annual inability to get outside and work on its collective skills.

“It’s always those first two weeks of April,” Kostacopoulos said. “We’re not in the rhythm of playing yet. We simply haven’t had that opportunity.”

Down the road at Husson College in Bangor, the Braves have been on their field for more than a week. The new Alfond Diamond at Winkin Baseball Complex features artificial FieldTurf.

Kostacopoulos said artificial turf is the perfect solution for UMaine and other northern New England college baseball programs in their quest to overcome spring curveballs thrown by Mother Nature.

“On the college level, that is the best thing going,” said Kostacopoulos. “I think it’s something you have to, at some point, look at.”

Kostacopoulos said another major advantage of artificial grass is the relative lack of maintenance. You don’t need equipment or manpower to mow it or water it, and it always looks good.

Kostacopoulos hopes artificial turf follows what he called the “Walkman phenomenon,” where technology starts out expensive but becomes affordable on a widespread basis.

While installing artificial turf might be nontraditional, Kostacopoulos thinks UMaine should consider making such a switch when practical.

“That’s a long, long-term thing, but it’s something that we should look at,” Kostacopoulos said.

Key Black Bears start slow

UMaine is off to a strong 12-6 start this spring, even though some of its top veterans have been struggling at the plate.

Senior third baseman Joe Drapeau of Biddeford is hitting only .274 with two home runs and seven RBIs. Senior Aaron Young of Augusta is struggling at .159 (3 RBIs) and injury-prone junior Simon Williams of Portland is batting only .125.

“If we get two or three of those players rolling, I think we can hit a pretty good streak,” Kostacopoulos said.

The Bears have scored runs behind some other hot bats. Freshman Ryan Quintal is hitting a team-high .389 with a homer and eight RBIs, while senior designated hitter Alain Picard has been a clutch performer at .366 with two homers and a league-best 26 RBIs.

Senior second baseman Brett Ouellette (.355, 3 HRs, 18 RBIs) has been another mainstay for a UMaine team that has come from behind to win several games in the late innings.

“Alain has really done a good job in the clutch,” Kostacopoulos said. “[The late rallies] come with experience and the older guys knowing how to get it done at the end of the game.”

USM women’s XC team honored

The University of Southern Maine women’s cross country team has earned Academic All-America status from the NCAA Cross Country Coaches Association for the ninth time in its 10-year history.

Coach George Towle’s squad posted a cumulative team grade point average of 3.63 for the fall semester in earning the honor.

Team members include Melissa Patten of Bucksport, Andrea York of Friendship, Jessie Cotton of South Portland, Kristy Wechter of South Berwick, Tiffany Cook, Becky DeSantis, and Jess Short.

Colby hockey players are all-stars

Brock Barton, J.D. Hadiaris, and Sean O’Grady of Colby College in Waterville have been selected to play in the ninth Eastern Senior All-Star Game.

The contest, which showcases the top senior Division III hockey players in the East as selected by the coaches, is scheduled today at 7 p.m. at Plattsburgh State University in New York.