BOCA RATON, Fla. – The transition from high school baseball to Division I can be difficult. It’s a process that seems to be fairly comfortable for Brewer’s Kevin McAvoy.

McAvoy has emerged as the University of Maine’s top hitter as he competes for playing time at third base during the Florida trip. The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder, who starred at Brewer High School and for the Brewer Falcons American Legion team, is batting .474 (9-for-19) with six games – five of them starts – under his belt.

“I’m settling in, finally,” McAvoy said after going 3-for-4 with three RBIs in Thursday night’s 10-5 victory over Pennsylvania. “I started out a little slow, but I think I’m coming around, getting the hang of things, and just trying to do what I can out there.”

McAvoy appears to have the inside track at third base, at least when sophomore Curt Smith is playing shortstop rather than third base.

“The water in Brewer is good right now,” said UMaine coach Steve Trimper. “He’s just red-hot right now and he’s a strong kid. He gets the barrel [of the bat] on the ball.”

Trimper said McAvoy also has been working out at second base to give him some flexibility.

Meanwhile, Brewer’s Joel Barrett has been one of the Bears’ top hitters so far during the Florida trip.

The junior first baseman went into Friday night’s game against Penn with a .389 batting average, including a team-leading 14 hits and nine RBIs.

While not known as a speedy runner, Barrett also has legged out three triples thus far, matching the total from his first two seasons. The Bears’ captain, who is a .348 career hitter for UMaine, has remained consistent while a couple of his teammates have struggled.

“There’s nobody you want up there but him right now,” Trimper said. “He’s a fearless hitter. We’ve been basically riding his back. He’s been hitting very well.”

Larry Mahaney remembered

Larry Mahaney’s tremendous contributions to UMaine baseball have not been lost on the 2006 Black Bears.

Mahaney remained committed to UMaine baseball and the school’s athletic program, until his unexpected death last month after a stroke in West Palm Beach, Fla.

At the urging of Trimper, UMaine players have written the initials “L.M.” on the back of their hats in Mahaney’s memory.

While the team originally hoped to have the initials embroidered on the hats, they instead opted to write them on with a silver magic marker prior to heading to their season-opening series at the University of Mississippi.

“We’re excited about the May 6 Irish funeral,” said UMaine senior Ryan Quintal, referring to a planned celebration prior to the Bears’ May 6 doubleheader against Albany at Mahaney Diamond in Orono.