ORONO – Mike Ferriggi pours his heart and soul into playing baseball, so any setbacks he has experienced during his career have had a profound impact on him.

During the last four years, Ferriggi has learned to work through occasional struggles and learn from his disappointments. Through persistence and intensity, he has emerged as a leader during his senior season at the University of Maine.

“[Assistant coach] Scott [Friedholm] and I were trying to figure out who has been our most consistent player from Day 1 to today and it’s Mike Ferriggi,” said UMaine coach Paul Kostacopoulos. “He’s played well for our entire season.”

Ferriggi and his teammates are preparing for their home-opening America East series Saturday and Sunday against Maryland Baltimore County.

While Ferriggi has been a contributor most of his career, the second baseman from Bellmore, N.Y., has had a breakout year. He is hitting a career-best .319 and has played steady defense for the Black Bears.

“I’m just proud I can finally contribute to the team the way I’ve always envisioned and the way coach [Kostacopoulos] envisioned,” said Ferriggi, who is fourth on the team with 29 hits and has posted three home runs and 16 runs batted in.

Ferriggi worked his way into the starting lineup at shortstop as a freshman in 2002, helping UMaine win the America East title and earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

He struggled to crack the lineup as a sophomore, then bounced back to start 52 games last season at second base.

“What he does on the field is emotionally driven,” Kostacopoulos said. “He takes that passion that he has for the game and makes it really work for him to make him a better player.”

Ferriggi attributes his resurgence to a willingness to work hard and adhere to philosophies he learned from his parents, Richard and JoAnna, and older brother Richie.

“My mother was one of the first people to teach me that you’re going to fail in life, you’re going to fail in baseball,” Ferriggi said. “She said showing how you deal with adversity is what’s most important.”

Ferriggi has been a defensive cornerstone this season. He has committed only four errors (.969 fielding percentage) and has had a hand in turning most of UMaine’s 31 double plays.

He credited Kostacopoulos with aiding his development.

“He’s a good, solid second baseman,” Kostacopoulos said. “He doesn’t miss too many opportunities to turn the double play and that’s reflected in our numbers this year.”

Ferriggi’s hitting improvement has resulted from his willingness to do some little things. He recently enjoyed a 10-game hitting streak.

“I’m going to the opposite field, up the middle; waiting back on the ball, being more patient,” Ferriggi said. “I’m happy I’ve figured out after four years that’s how the game’s played.”

Ferriggi is most gratified about his role as a contributor to the team’s success, which has been the result of collective unselfishness.

“Everyone on this team’s realizing what role they have and they’re all doing it,” Ferriggi said. “That’s such a high point as a player, to be part of something like that. We’ve bought into the system and it’s working.”

Ferriggi, who is majoring in kinesiology and physical education with a minor in business, will graduate next fall. While he and his brother Richie are entertaining an offer to play in Italy, Ferriggi indicated he might follow in his brother’s footsteps and become a physical therapist.