Bears relying on experience Maine opens America East title defense vs. Stony Brook today

When a championship is on the line, there is no substitute for experience.

The University of Maine baseball team will rely on the leadership and experience of its senior class during the America East Baseball Championship, which begins today in Burlington, Vt.

Coach Paul Kostacopoulos’ second-seeded Black Bears 37-16 take on No. 3 Stony Brook (30-19) in the 3:30 p.m. opener of the four-team, double-elimination tourney.

The Bears are confident they can successfully defend their America East title. That confidence is rooted in a senior class that has helped UMaine post a 113-48 record (.702) the last three seasons.

“They’ve all been part of us getting to where we want to be,” Kostacopoulos said. “They’ve had three 35-plus-win seasons. It’s hard to argue with the numbers.”

This year’s seven seniors are characterized by talent and consistency. But the most impressive trait might be their collective perseverance and resilience.

The class includes four fifth-year players, Joe Drapeau of Biddeford, Brett Ouellette of Keene, N.H., Jesse Carlton of Chatham, Mass., and Adam Labelle of Hudson, Mass. They’re joined by Alain Picard of Ste.-Foy, Quebec, Mike Livulpi of Holmes, N.Y., and Pat Tobin of Pickering, Ontario.

Ouellette, the Bears’ second baseman, has overcome two reconstructive elbow surgeries and an ankle operation to become one of the league’s best players. He leads the team with a .352 average, 44 runs scored and 10 home runs and has 45 RBIs.

“Brett’s had a great year,” Kostacopoulos said. “I think he’s been our most productive player.”

Carlton, a first baseman, has overcome testicular cancer. He is batting .304 with three homers and 18 RBIs after having worked his way into the lineup for three seasons.

“He went out there and made his role on the team,” Kostacopoulos said. “He’s earned everything he’s gotten here and being a two-time captain shows the players have respect for who he is.”

Picard has proven himself one of the league’s most productive hitters. Arm trouble forced the superb catcher to accept UMaine’s designated hitter role this season. Picard is hitting .333 with six homers and a league-best 50 RBIs.

“He’s so valuable as a catcher and we had to do it without him this year,” Kostacopoulos said. “As a hitter, he’s been kind of our go-to guy.”

Co-captain Drapeau sat out his freshman season, but has been an America East star ever since. He has exceled at third base and behind the plate. Drapeau (.299, 10 HR, 33 RBI) also continues to chase UMaine’s career home run and RBI records.

“His contributions have been really exceptional,” Kostacopoulos said. “You can compare him, numerically, to some of the great players who have played here.”

Livulpi has been a four-year starter in the Bears’ outfield because of his tremendous defensive ability and his hitting and running prowess. Livulpi is second in AE with 20 stolen bases and posted a .293 average (4 HR, 17 RBI).

“He really brought an element to our program that we hadn’t had and that was a guy who could steal a base when you needed it,” Kostacopoulos said. “He’s had a real good career.”

Labelle established himself as UMaine’s most valuable and durable relief pitcher. The righthander has made 67 career appearances and is 3-3 this spring with four saves and a 4.46 earned run average.

“He persevered through not getting the opportunities he may have wanted,” Kostacopoulos said. “He really has done a great job and he is enjoying his experience in baseball.”

Tobin (.278, 2 HR, 13 RBI) also has stuck it out. After two seasons starting two-thirds of the Bears’ games, he has been relegated to a limited role as a backup first baseman this season.

“He has not had a lot of opportunities this year, but when called upon he does the job,” said Kostacopoulos, who marvels at the fortitude of this senior class.

“They’ve been able to lead this program to better days,” he said. “They’re the fabric of what we have.”