Versatile seniors aid Bears’ quest UM vs. Albany in pivotal series

Ace pitcher Mike MacDonald, speedy outfielder and captain Simon Williams and dependable pitcher Ryan Harris headline the list of five seniors who will play their final regular-season home games for the University of Maine baseball team this weekend against Albany.

The quintet, which also includes infielder Mark Reichley and outfielder Pete Saunders, will lead the Black Bears into an important America East three-game series that begins with today’s 1 p.m. doubleheader at Mahaney Diamond in Orono.

This year’s seniors have filled a variety of roles on the UMaine squad during their careers and have proven themselves as winners. During the last four seasons, coach Paul Kostacopoulos’ Bears have put together a 140-68 overall record (.673), including a conference title and a trip to the NCAA Los Angeles Regional in 2002.

That’s the most successful four-year span for UMaine since the Class of 1993 went 142-89 with three NCAA Tournament appearances.

MacDonald, a righthanded starter from Camden, is the Bears’ ace. The kinesiology and physical education major owns a career record of 23-12 and ranks second all-time at UMaine with 260 strikeouts. He is third in school history with 291 innings pitched.

Williams, an outfielder from Portland, is among the best outfielders to patrol the Mahaney Diamond turf. He has stolen 62 bases, seven shy of the all-time record held by Mark Sweeney. Williams has started 148 games and owns a .309 career batting average with 142 runs scored and 95 RBIs.

Harris, a righthanded pitcher from Woodstock, New Brunswick, has been both a starter and a reliever during his career. The kinesiology and physical education graduate owns a 13-6 record with two saves in 46 appearances with 102 strikeouts.

Reichley, who graduated with a degree in biology and is headed for dental school, started most of two seasons at shortstop for UMaine. The Lansdale, Pa., native later has served as a utility infielder and is batting .244 for his career with 65 runs scored and 50 RBIs.

Saunders, a chemical engineering graduate from Bucksport, has been a backup outfielder and pinch runner for most of his career. He has played in 82 games for the Bears.