Maine Savings Federal Credit Union announced recently it has signed multiyear sponsorship agreement with Black Bear Sports Properties to provide signage, hospitality and install the first automated teller machine at Alfond Arena in Orono.

Maine Savings, which has nine branches located across eastern Maine, will receive exclusive rights for ATM placement in UMaine athletic facilities and will be able to use UMaine trademarks in marketing and advertising promotions through 2009.

The institution will leverage its agreement with UMaine through Black Bear-themed mass-market promotions, ATM placement and other business and cross-promotional ventures with sponsor partners of UMaine athletics.

“We’re thrilled Maine Savings will play such a visible role in our program, and [we] look forward to the value the company will bring to Black Bear fans, alumni, faculty, staff, sponsors and media partners,” said UMaine athletic director Blake James.

Also in the works is a Maine Hockey Fantasy Camp for Maine Savings executives and clients. Financial terms of the sponsorship agreement were not disclosed.

John Reed, chief executive officer of Maine Savings, said the partnership with UMaine athletics will provide a chance to promote its products and services to the Black Bears’ passionate fan base.

Maine’s youngsters shine

The University of Maine softball team’s occasionally lackluster offense in 2006 seems to have perked up early this season thanks in part to the Black Bear freshmen and sophomores.

The most recent America East standings have Maine, which is 8-5 going into two games Wednesday, second in the conference with a .274 batting average. Rookies Whitney Spangler and Alexis Souhlaris are batting .429 and .412, respectively.

Souhlaris leads the league with four stolen bases on four attempts and is tied for second in hits with seven and freshman Kristen Calvetti’s five runs scored is tied for second in America East.

In addition, freshman pitcher Christine McGivney’s 3.18 earned-run average is seventh-best in America East. She’s allowed just two walks in 11 innings.

Sophomore Ashley Waters, who was named the America East Co-Player of the Week, is batting .313. Pitcher Jenna Balent, who was last season’s AE Rookie of the Year, has a 1.84 ERA (third in America East) with 18 strikeouts in 19 innings.

UMaine’s McAvoy off to hot start

Kevin McAvoy, who burst onto the Division I baseball scene last season to earn America East Rookie of the Year honors, is off to a strong start on UMaine’s southern swing.

The sophomore third baseman from Brewer is 9-for-17 (.529) through four games, helping lead the Bears to a 2-2 record. McAvoy, who was 3-for-3 in Tuesday night’s 3-1 loss to Florida Atlantic, has a double and three runs batted in thus far.

He also has played errorless defense.