ORONO – The University of Maine is a confident baseball team as the 2006 season begins.

Coming off an America East title and an NCAA tournament win, the Black Bears feature several returning starters.

UMaine has entered a transition phase under energetic coach Steve Trimper, who succeeded Paul Kostacopoulos when he took the Navy job.

And the Bears will be tested early as they open with a three-game series at 19th-ranked Mississippi starting today at 3 p.m.

“The excitement’s definitely building,” said senior co-captain Ryan Quintal. “Not so much nervousness, but I think definitely people are anxious and excited to get on a real field and put the cleats on.”

The Bears have considerable talent, but must overcome a few early injuries and integrate a handful of new players if they hope to live up to their billing as the America East favorite.

“The energy’s really high with us right now, especially with our toughest opponent of the year the first series,” said senior Greg Norton of South Portland, “but we’re starting to click.”

The Bears have a reworked pitching staff as ace Steve Richard transferred to Clemson and right-hander Norton is coming off September rotator cuff surgery. That duo combined for 18 wins last season.

Junior catcher Matt McGraw will initially be limited to designated hitting while rehabbing after shoulder surgery and promising freshman righty Mike Powers of Portland is coming off a stress fracture in his pitching hand.

“The first weekend at Mississippi we’re going to be a little thin,” conceded Trimper.

“That’s why the versatility we have in the infield and the pitching depth is nice,” he said.

Maine’s mound mix

The Bears’ pitching fortunes will be determined by a combination of veterans and newcomers. Norton (9-4, 3.15 in 2005), is the No. 1 starter, but will have to work his way back gradually. He’ll get a few innings during the Florida trip.

“I’m actually trying to get my arm strength back,” Norton said.

That places pressure on senior righty Troy Martin (8-2, 4.02) to set the tone. He’ll be joined in the rotation by sophomore lefty Nolan Boike (0-1, 8.53), freshman righty Pat Moran of Winterport, former Deering High standout Powers and frosh lefty Jose Mendoza.

Boike pitched only 12 2/3 innings last season, while Moran, Powers and Mendoza must make the jump to college ball. Powers compiled a brilliant 56-0 combined record in high school and American Legion.

Trimper believes there is plenty of talent on the staff, including senior co-captain Scott Robinson (2-2, 4.43, 9 saves), a relief specialist who is four saves shy of the school career record of 19.

“He’s the guy you’re going to get in there the first tough situation you have,” said Trimper, who also touted junior righty Josh Zyskowski.

He worked only 17 1/3 innings in 2005, then was converted to a submarine-style delivery during the off-season. He also will throw over the top.

Freshmen A.J. Balsinde and Mitch Clegg, and veterans Jason Weymouth of Charleston (2-3, 4.10), Justin Bishop (2-0, 5.31) and John Tesseyman (1-2, 6.08), also are in the mix.

“It’s a pitching staff that has depth,” Trimper said.

Veteran lineup packs punch

The Bears are blessed with five seasoned position players, but have holes to fill up the middle and, at least temporarily, behind the plate.

Leading the way are senior co-captains, center fielder Joe Hough (.336, 6 HR, 36 RBI, 21 stolen bases) and left fielder Ryan Quintal (.335, 7 HR, 49 RBI), along with sophomore third baseman/shortstop Curt Smith (.343, 3 HR, 38 RBI, 10 SB), junior first baseman and co-captain Joel Barrett of Brewer (.340, 7 HR, 43 RBI) and McGraw (.291, 2 HR, 15 RBI).

“Joe is probably our most impact player,” Trimper said. “He can hit, he’s got a little power, he runs and he throws.”

If Smith starts at third, sophomore Mo Rivera is penciled in at shortstop. Freshman Brian Hackett of Bangor has impressed at third base, where frosh Kevin McAvoy of Brewer also is vying for playing time.

The second baseman is freshman Danny Menendez, one of three Bears out of Columbus High in Miami.

With McGraw relegated to DH duty, talented freshman Sean Parker will catch. He’s backed up by sophomore Frank Pesanello (.243, 1 HR, 10 RBI), who also will be the DH.

Completing the outfield is sophomore Bobby Brown (.324, 5HR, 28 RBI), a transfer from Division I High Point (N.C.) who is an excellent first baseman.

Sophomore Mark Ostrander and freshman Billy Cather will also play in the outfield.

Bears won’t sit back on haunches

Trimper preaches aggressiveness, hustle and intensity. He wants the Bears to exhibit those qualities, especially on the base paths.

UMaine stole 46 bases a year ago, with two players accounting for 31. Trimper is shooting for numbers in the 80s.

“I’m a very aggressive baserunner,” Trimper said of his philosophy. “I teach the kids to pick pitches. You don’t need to be a burner to steal bases.”

Trimper wants UMaine to put pressure on opponents whenever possible.

“If we’re going to sac bunt, it’s going to be a base-hit bunt,” he said. “Or we’re going to hit-and-run or steal. We’re going to move guys that way.”

FEBRUARY

24 – at Mississippi, 3 p.m.

25 – at Mississippi, 1:30 p.m.

26 – at Mississippi, 1:30 p.m.

MARCH

March 5-18 in Florida

5 – vs. Seton Hall, 7 p.m.

6 – vs. St. Bonaventure, noon.

7 – vs. St. Bonaventure, noon.

8 – vs. Monmouth, 1 p.m.

9 – vs. Penn, 7 p.m.

10 – vs. Penn, 6 p.m.

11 – vs. Penn, 1 p.m.

13 – vs. LIU, 7 p.m.

14 – at Florida International, 7 p.m.

15 – vs. LIU, 7 p.m.

16 – vs. Iona, 1 p.m.

17 – vs. Columbia, 1 p.m.

18 – vs. Columbia, 1 p.m.

25 – at NYIT (2), noon.

26 – at NYIT, noon.

APRIL

1 – at Maryland Eastern Shore (2), noon.

2 – at Delaware State (2), noon.

5 – at UMass, 3 p.m.

7 – at UMBC, 7 p.m.

8 – at UMBC (2), 3:30 p.m.

9 – at UMBC, noon.

13 – Stony Brook, 4 p.m.

14 – Stony Brook (2), 4 p.m.

15 – Stony Brook, 1 p.m.

18 – Thomas, 4 p.m.

21 – NYIT, 4 p.m.

22 – NYIT, 1 p.m.

23 – NYIT, 1 p.m.

25 – Colby, 6 p.m.

26 – vs. Holy Cross at Sanford, 5 p.m.

28 – at Binghamton, 3 p.m.

29 – at Binghamton (2), noon.

30 – at Binghamton, noon.

MAY

3 – vs. Brown (2) at Sanford, 5 p.m.

5 – Albany, 4 p.m.

6 – Albany (2), 1 p.m.

7 – Albany, 1 p.m.

13 – Hartford, 1 p.m.

14 – Hartford (2), 1 p.m.

15 – Hartford, 1 p.m.

16 – at Northeastern, 3 p.m.

18 – at Vermont, 1 p.m.

19 – at Vermont (2), noon.

20 – at Vermont, noon.