Bears seek boost UM to address offensive woes

It wasn’t the thick black eye makeup Kristina Thorson wears while pitching that put a scare into the University of Maine softball team.

It wasn’t the California standout’s dyed black-and-red hair or nose ring, either.

It was her fastball.

It was something the Black Bears hadn’t seen much of all year, not until they advanced to last week’s NCAA regional in Lincoln, Neb., against the Golden Bears.

Maine fell to Cal 4-0 Thursday night, then lost 2-0 to Iowa Friday morning – the third and fourth times the Black Bears have been shut out in NCAA postseason play.

An inability to hit and score runs with consistency plagued Maine all season. The Black Bears were able to survive on defense, pitching, and late rallies to win the America East tournament and advance to the regional.

But after the Bears went 5-for-44 (.113) in the two regional games, UMaine coach Deb Smith said she will take a look at scheduling some tougher competition for next spring’s Florida trip so that the Bears can face better pitching.

“We did not get embarrassed,” Smith said. “We were disappointed with our hitting. But we played well. We know we got outmatched offensively. We know we need to make improvements.”

Thorson struck out 10 Black Bears and allowed three hits. She had a 0.88 earned run average going into the Maine game. Iowa pitcher Lisa Birocci fanned 10 more Bears and allowed two hits.

“We don’t face this pitching very often and we only get to face it two or three times, even in Florida,” said shortstop Brittany Cheney. “It’s difficult adjusting from the pitchers in our conference to some of the best in the nation. … But we have to play against better pitching in order to hit well in this tournament.”

Cal faces tough pitching all the time. The Golden Bears play in the Pac-10 conference, which had six other teams make the NCAA tournament. Cal played nine other teams that also made the 64-team tourney.

Maine faced five teams, all out of conference, that made the tournament. The Black Bears were supposed to play Hofstra, the Colonial Athletic conference champ, but those games were canceled because of weather.

Maine’s pitching was strong in the tournament. Sarah Bennis (10-11) gave up 13 hits in 13 innings of work. She walked four and allowed six runs (four earned).

The Black Bears, who led America East in defense most of the season, committed two errors in the tournament and finished with a .964 fielding percentage.

The lessons learned in Lincoln will be pivotal for the Black Bears as they return their core of starters, including Bennis.

Maine second baseman Sara Asadoorian and part-time first baseman Nicole Taylor have graduated, but the rest of the infield, the entire outfield, and three pitchers who made all 51 starts return for 2005.

Leadoff batter and center fielder Jess Brady was stellar this season. Her team highs included a .385 batting average, .534 slugging and .428 on-base percentages, 32 runs scored, 62 hits, and 18 stolen bases. Brady set the career record for steals this season.

In the circle, Bennis and America East Pitcher of the Year Jenna Merchant will both return with a combined 1.56 ERA. Merchant (10-5) set the career record for strikeouts earlier this season.

Candace Jaegge (8-6, 2.83) is listed as a senior but will likely gain a redshirt season because an elbow injury limited her to four appearances in 2003.

Cheney (.301 batting average, 21 RBIs, five homers) and third baseman Lauren Dulkis (.276, 14 RBIs) will again anchor the infield. Amy Kuhl, who split time with Taylor at first and also served as a designated hitter, returns with a .270 batting average and 21 RBIs.

Erin Provost, who played much of the season in left field, could move to second base. Dana Grimm, who split time in right with Molly McKinney (.236, 15 RBIs), could move to left and in fact started there against Iowa. Catcher Lindsey Tibbetts also returns.

“We’ve got the core back for next year,” Smith said. “There’s gonna be that mentality that we look down to no one in our conference and no one we play.”

Iowa coach Gayle Blevins said Maine’s play impressed her, especially as the Black Bears shut down Cal for five innings.

“I congratulate them on great composure and a great presence in this tournament,” she said. “I thought they did a nice job.”