Williams seeks strong finish Speedy Black Bear center fielder leads Bears with bat, glove

ORONO – When Simon Williams is on top of his game, he’s among the most dangerous players in America East.

The University of Maine senior has demonstrated the ability to hit for average, and with power, and he’s a threat to steal whenever he’s on base.

While patrolling center field, the America East first-teamer covers a tremendous amount of territory, chasing down balls most players couldn’t reach.

The Portland native admits it hasn’t always been easy, especially at the plate, but he’s determined to end his career with a flourish.

“There’s been times when I’ve done really well and there’s been times when I’ve struggled,” admitted Williams, who serves as a team captain. “With baseball being such a mental game, not having that confidence to know what you can do and what you can’t do puts a damper on you.”

Despite battling injuries and inconsistency, Williams has had a productive career for coach Paul Kostacopoulos’ Black Bears, who will play a three-game league series this weekend at Mansfield Stadium in Bangor. UMaine and Hartford play a 5 p.m. game Saturday, then hook up Sunday for a noon doubleheader.

Williams appears to have broken out of an early season slump. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder is 8-for-25 (a .320 clip) with six runs scored, a home run, two doubles and five RBIs in his last seven games.

Now up to .281 for the season, he has made significant changes to his batting stance during his four seasons, including new refinements this year.

“He has an unorthodox [wide] stance and we just kind of synthesized things to where he is now,” Kostacopoulos said. “It was coach and player working together to get something that we think works.”

Williams is back in the leadoff spot for the Bears. He has stolen 12 bases in 13 tries this season and is 51-for-56 (91 percent) in 156 career games.

“My success has really been attained by running,” said Williams, who was an all-state sweeper on the Portland High soccer team. “I can steal a base, but it also distracts the pitcher. He’s not as focused on the hitter as he should be because of me.”

Williams is superb going from first to third on a hit or scoring from second base. In the outfield, he changes the game by his mere presence.

“He really gets to some balls that are fabulous catches for other people,” Kostacopoulos said. “He makes them almost look like they’re average plays.”

Part of Williams’ inconsistency has been his propensity for injuries. A bone chip in his shoulder and a pulled hamstring the last two years, respectively, resulted in 23 missed games.

This spring, he sat out only one game after being hit on the elbow by a pitch during the southern trip.

While Williams is constantly working to improve, and as the team tries to make a run at the conference title, he has assumed another important duty, that of captain.

“I think I can give good, sound advice about things,” said Williams, who knows this year’s team lacks the talent and experience of recent squads. “I’ve been in the program four years and I know what coach expects and what he wants.”

Williams, who has never been afraid to ask teammates for help, has been willing to share his knowledge and experience with his teammates.

“He has a good way about keeping those guys on task and he communicates well with them and, at the same time, they like him and respect him,” Kostacopoulos said.

Williams hopes the Bears can have a strong America East season. He’s hoping to pursue a pro career, if the opportunity arises, before working as a personal trainer or owning his own gym.