MAINE vs. VERMONT

Time, site: Thursday, 7 p.m.; Friday (2), 1 p.m.; Saturday, noon; Centennial Field, Burlington, Vt.

Records: Maine 30-18-1 (11-7 AE), Vermont 16-30 (14-6)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 85-49, UM 6-5 (11 inns.) on 5/28/05

Top hitters – Maine: 3B Kevin McAvoy (.381, 6 HR, 50 RBI), SS Curt Smith (.380-4-39-18 SB), 1B Joel Barrett (.359-5-47), DH Matt McGraw (.335-4-33-12 SB), CF Joe Hough (.328-7-32-21), LF Ryan Quintal (.322-8-56); Vermont: RF Kyle Brault (.346-9-45), SS Jim Chapman (.327-1-24), LF Jason Carey (.317-6-28), 3B Kyle Massie (.291-0-24)

Possible Pitching Matchups

Maine Black Bears Vermont Catamounts

ERA W-L Ks ERA W-L Ks

RH Scott Robinson 4.79 8-3 61 RH Bryan Rembisz 7.34 2-7 47

RH Mike Powers 4.54 3-2 14 LH Joe Serafin 4.08 4-3 68

RH Troy Martin 6.75 6-4 37 LH Eric Thompson 2.73 4-1 22

LH Jose Mendoza 6.46 2-1 14 RH Keith Rakus 3.99 1-0 37

Outlook: The Bears will tune up for the America East tournament while trying to earn the right to host it. UMaine encounters a UVM squad that features stingy pitching but an unspectacular offense. The Bears likely will have to apply pressure on the basepaths and get clutch hits to make sure some of its younger pitchers don’t feel too much pressure. UMaine, which ranks 23rd nationally with a .320 batting average, also must avoid giving away runs with poor fielding. McAvoy is AE’s top hitter, while Quintal leads in RBIs (54). UVM’s Serafin is tops in strikeouts.