MAINE vs. HARTFORD

Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Sunday (2), 1 p.m.; Monday, 1 p.m.; Mahaney Diamond, Orono

Records: Maine 27-16-1 (8-6 America East); Hartford 10-35 (7-13)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 57-17, Maine 6-3 on 4/25/05

Top hitters – Hartford: DH Frank Cipolla (.291, 1 HR, 19 RBI, 7 SB), 2B Ben Sobocinski (.288, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 8 SB), C Ryan Crowley (.280, 2 HR, 22 RBI), 3B Bill Perry (.277, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 10 SB); Maine: 3B Kevin McAvoy (.399, 6 HR, 49 RBI), SS Curt Smith (.383, 3 HR, 34 RBI, 16 SB), 1B Joel Barrett (.360, 4 HR, 44 RBI), CF Joe Hough (.331, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 17 SB), LF Ryan Quintal (.317, 6 HR, 46 RBI)

Possible Pitching Matchups

Hartford Hawks Maine Black Bears

ERA W-L Ks ERA W-L Ks

LH Pete Moraski 5.43 1-7 21 RH Scott Robinson 5.23 7-3 56

RH Chris Browne 3.57 3-5 12 RH Mike Powers 3.41 3-1 12

RH Weston Szymanski 2.93 5-4 23 RH Troy Martin 6.35 5-4 33

RH Adam Flaherty 6.98 0-6 25 LH Jose Mendoza 7.54 1-1 10

Outlook: The Bears likely need to sweep this series to retain hopes of hosting the AE tourney. UMaine has lost five of its last six games, displaying inconsistency in all facets. Hartford has struggled this spring, but has a hot pitcher in Szymanski, who has thrown 16 consecutive scoreless innings. The Hawks are last in AE in batting (.248) and fielding percentage (.947) but have turned a league-best 41 double plays. Hartford also has stolen 75 bases, tied with UMaine for best in the conference.