Steve Trimper believes playing top-notch competition will bring out the best in his players, especially during America East play.

That’s one of the reasons he was so excited last weekend to take his University of Maine baseball team to Oxford, Miss., for a three-game series against then-No. 19 Mississippi.

“Overall, the experience was outstanding, to start out with that caliber [opponent] and to show everybody where we need to improve,” Trimper said.

While the Black Bears returned to Orono 0-3, they gained valuable game experience heading into their two-week, 16-game Florida trip, which begins Sunday in West Palm Beach against Seton Hall.

UMaine was understandably inconsistent at Ole Miss, having spent the last few weeks practicing inside the new Mahaney Dome.

“When you play a team of this caliber, when you make a mistake, you pay for it,” Trimper said of the Rebels. “We had some innings where we made a few mistakes and it leads to a four-run inning.”

The Bears had five players register three hits in the series, but the team returned with a only .212 batting average against some talented pitchers.

“They were either 84-88 [mph] with great breaking stuff or they were throwing 92-93,” Trimper said. “It’s good to see good pitching. I was pretty happy with our at-bats, our swings.”

Eleven different pitchers got some work at Ole Miss, but some weren’t sharp with their pitch location and paid the price against a potent Rebels lineup. The Bears issued 21 walks and struck out only 11.

One of the bright spots was sophomore lefthander Nolan Boike, who allowed three hits and three earned runs with three strikeouts in his first start of the season.

UMaine expects to have more pitching depth in Florida as junior Josh Zyskowski returns to action while freshman Mike Powers should get some work coming off a stress fracture and senior Greg Norton may also see his first action since last season after shoulder surgery.

While this year’s schedule was pretty much set when Trimper was hired last spring, the Bears’ 2006 slate will feature more high-level opponents.

“Next year we’ve got Arizona State,” Trimper said of one early-season series.

He admitted having a similar philosophy to that of former UMaine coach and current Husson College boss John Winkin, who perennially put his UMaine teams up against national powers during nonleague play.

“If you play good competition, you make yourself better,” Trimper said.

“You have two seasons in the Northeast. The first season is your preseason, which is out of conference, and then you’ve got your in-season, the conference. That’s when everything counts.”

The America East champion earns a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

UM Super Suppah nets $30,000

The University of Maine’s Black Bear Scholarship Fund received a boost of $30,000 recently after another successful Super Suppah.

UMaine’s Black Bear Board of Advisors held the third annual fundraising dinner Feb. 19 at the Bangor Civic Center.

The event, which included a dinner, silent and live auctions and a raffle for a vacation, brought together many of UMaine’s head coaches, administrators, student-athletes, staff, fans and business backers for an evening of food and fun.

A total of 100 patrons paid $100 each to attend the dinner and have a chance at winning the $10,000 grand prize raffle. Paul Hammond took home the top prize.

More than $20,000 in prizes were handed out, with each attendee winning at least one.

Patrons also bid for the right to eat dinner with some of UMaine’s coaches.

The event was underwritten by Merrill Bank, while Cyr Bus Lines and Darling’s Auto also assisted with sponsorships.

The Super Suppah has now raised more than $75,000 for the Black Bear Scholarship Fund.