ORONO – Like many youngsters, Joe Hough’s career as a baseball player began in the backyard, playing catch and Wiffle ball with his father, Joe.

Hough has been blessed with natural ability, but he also has shown a desire to absorb as much knowledge as he can to improve his skills.

This spring, the 6-foot, 200-pounder from West Roxbury, Mass., has been one of the catalysts in the University of Maine’s quest for a second straight America East title.

Hough, who ranks among the top 10 in nine America East offensive categories, leads the Black Bears into today’s 1 p.m. opener of their four-game conference series against Hartford at Mahaney Diamond.

Hough, a senior co-captain, is what coaches refer to as a “five-tool” player. That means he can hit, hit for power, run, throw and play the field well.

“I’m completely amazed this kid didn’t get drafted last year,” said first-year UMaine coach Steve Trimper. “Five-tool players are hard to come by. I’ve had kids drafted that aren’t even close to him, talent-wise.”

Hough refuses to take anything for granted. UMaine’s starting center fielder is the leadoff batter in a lineup that has scored a healthy 7.7 runs per game this season.

Having been a leadoff man most of his career, Hough knows how to execute that role in Trimper’s aggressive offensive approach.

“What I try to stay away from is swinging at that first pitch and hitting a nubber somewhere,” Hough said. “I’m trying help out the team by seeing pitches and relaying back to them what the guy is throwing.”

Hough, who is batting .331, boasts considerable power (five home runs this season). However, he takes the most pride in his ability to get on base and score runs.

He leads America East with 47 runs scored and is second with 17 stolen bases.

“If you looked at how many runs we score when that guy gets on base, it’s amazing,” Trimper said. “As Joe goes, we go.”

Hough is fairly aggressive on the basepaths, but knows he doesn’t have to do too much.

“I’ll score a ton of runs because I’ve got guys like Joel [Barrett], Quinny [Ryan Quintal] and Curt [Smith] behind me,” Hough said. “Those guys are such good hitters that I don’t have to do too much.”

Hough has made steady progress since arriving at UMaine in 2002. He struggled as a freshman, but received guidance from former UMaine coach Paul Kostacopoulos.

After hitting .259 as a part-time player, Hough batted .348 with seven homers and 42 RBIs as a sophomore and was an America East first-team pick.

“I’ve been blessed to be around great baseball minds,” said Hough, who credits all of his coaches over the years with giving him a solid foundation.

“I will listen to anybody if they have any suggestions. If it’s going to make me better, I’ll use it,” he said, crediting Kostacopoulos with teaching him the mental part of hitting at the college level.

Hough’s willingness to learn and apply new knowledge has enabled him to continue improving. He also lists former teammates such as Simon Williams as mentors.

“He’s a kid who just wants to give his best effort all the time,” Trimper said of Hough. “He’s got a positive attitude, but he’s a humble person. That’s why he keeps getting better. He never is going to settle for mediocrity.”

Hough has spent the last three summers playing in wooden-bat leagues. He has progressed from the Park League in West Roxbury two years ago to the New England Collegiate Baseball League in 2004 and then the prestigious Cape Cod League last summer.

“I got to play with some of the best kids in the country,” Hough said of the Cape League. “You learn so much from those guys; their mental approach at the plate as to what pitches they’re swinging at.”

The former Catholic Memorial High School three-sport standout, who also was recruited by some Division I football schools, including Boston College, as a punter and by Division III basketball programs, has left his mark at UMaine.

He owns the career record with 13 triples, including three this season. He also tied the single-game stolen-base mark with three against Colby.

Once the season is over, some professional team is likely to take a chance on Hough. Trimper is doing everything in his power to help Hough get the shot he deserves.

“All I’m really asking for is a chance to play,” Hough said. “It’s always been a dream since I was playing tee ball and watching those guys [the Red Sox] play at Fenway Park.”

Hough, who listed Ken Griffey Jr. among his childhood idols, has one semester left before he graduates with his degree in marketing.