While the slow transition to spring may have slowed down the progress of the University of Maine baseball team a little bit, the Black Bears remain focused on winning another America East championship.

That quest begins in earnest today when UMaine opens conference play with a four-game series at Hartford.

Coach Paul Kostacopoulos is confident his 16-6 Bears are getting better, but the start of their America East schedule is certain to create a greater sense of purpose and urgency.

He reminded his team that even though Hartford is 1-15, the Hawks start today on even footing with UMaine as far as the league is concerned.

“Their slate is clean. Their road to postseason is exactly equal to ours right now,” Kostacopoulos said. “We made a big point of that this week.”

That said, Kostacopoulos is confident UMaine will exhibit the same enthusiasm and focus that have helped it succeed thus far.

The Bears have not lacked in any area of the game. They boast the steadiest defense in America East behind a strong pitching staff and a well-balanced lineup that has come up with numerous clutch hits.

Junior righthander Mike Collar of Scarborough is coming off one of his most dominating performances as a collegian. Last Saturday, he fired an eight-inning, one-hit shutout during which he struck out 15 and did not walk or hit a batter.

“That was a great performance,” said Kostacopoulos, who said Collar consistently throws the fastball at 88 mph and complements it with a hard slider and an improving changeup.

“With him, it’s about having three pitches and putting it where he wants,” Kostacopoulos said. “The changeup’s becoming his out pitch.”

In 34 1/3 innings, Collar has struck out a league-high 41 batters while walking only four, a ratio his coach called incredible.

As a staff, UMaine has struck out 183 and walked only 63, nearly a 3-to-1 ratio.

Among the Bears’ hottest bats of late is senior second baseman Brett Ouellette, who is hitting a team-best .359 and is riding an eight-game hitting streak. Ouellette has smacked a team-leading five home runs and has knocked in 24 runs.

“He’s arguably been our best player,” Kostacopoulos said. “He’s been very consistent offensively, he’s played very good defense (three errors in 74 chances) and he comes to play every day.”

Senior Alain Picard, who has been relegated to the designated hitter role after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, also has been productive at the plate. Picard has hit safely in 12 straight contests and ranks first in the conference in RBIs (26) and leads the team with eight doubles.

Maine softball’s ‘stolen’ season

The UMaine softball team is showing its speed on the bases. The Black Bears have already surpassed last season’s stolen-base total.

Maine has 35 stolen bases after 24 games so far. The Bears finished with 31 steals in 57 games last spring.

The player who has the bulk of those stolen bases? Sophomore Jess Brady of Jackman, who already has 16 steals in 20 attempts.

That’s only two stolen bases shy of the school record of 18 set by Tina Ouellette in 1987 and tied by Melissa Creegan in 1997 and Sara Jewett in 2000.

The record could fall this weekend when UMaine hosts America East doubleheaders against Stony Brook on Saturday and Sunday.

Freshman Brittany Cheney has six stolen bases so far this season.