Pat Moran is willing to stand up for what he believes is right – even when it means giving up something he loves.

That is why the sophomore from Winterport is no longer a member of the University of Maine baseball team.

Moran quit the team March 20 after the Black Bears’ series at Arizona State the previous weekend. During the trip, some team members committed an undisclosed violation of team rules at the team hotel.

The 20-year-old former Hampden Academy standout said Wednesday he was aware of the situation involving his two roommates but chose to stay in the room and sleep.

When UMaine coach Steve Trimper found out about the violations that night, he asked Moran whether he had participated.

“I told him I hadn’t and he honestly believed me,” said Moran, who did not want to reveal what happened.

On March 20, the day the team arrived back in Maine, Sean Parker and David Ricker were dismissed from the team for their involvement. Trimper confirmed Moran was not involved in the situation.

Moran also was asked to meet with Trimper.

“He told me that he wanted to suspend me for a game for me not telling my roommates to leave [the room] if they were going to break the rules,” Moran said.

“I just felt for what, from his standpoint, was my lack of judgment, I shouldn’t have to take responsibility with any loss of playing time,” Moran explained. “I went out of my way to do the right thing. Morally, I believed in what I did.”

Moran said he harbors no ill will toward Trimper.

“I told him, I understand what you’re saying and that I could have done more,” Moran said, “but I felt my decision was the right one.”

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Moran, who played a secondary role on the UMaine pitching staff in 13 games over one-plus seasons (1-3 record, 1 save), hopes to make a new start elsewhere. Still, he’ll miss his former teammates and his friends.

“It definitely wasn’t a thing that I was excited about doing, obviously,” Moran said.

He plans to finish the spring semester at UMaine, but hopes to continue his education and his baseball career next fall at either the University of Southern Maine or Saint Joseph’s College, two Division III programs in southern Maine.

Trimper declined to comment, other than to say he is willing to help Moran find another place to play next season.

“I wish him well,” Trimper said. “He’s a good kid and if he feels there’s a better situation out there for him, that’s fine.”

Black Bears bound for ‘Big Easy’

The UMaine baseball team will leave tonight for the Deep South, where it begins a three-game series Friday against the University of New Orleans.

“We’re really looking forward to this,” Trimper said. “This is a team that has been playing extremely well this year.”

The Bears, who already have taken on the likes of Arizona State and Miami, are using this series as the big push toward the start of America East play next week at Stony Brook (N.Y.).

“It’s really our last tuneup before we get into the mighty conference season,” Trimper said. “It’s great for us to go and play great teams.”

Diamond drying out well

Trimper said the hope is, especially with recent windy weather, the Bears might be able to get on Mahaney Diamond in the near future.

“It’s a little wet in the dirt, we’ve got to turn it over, but the outfield’s not bad right now,” Trimper said. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed.”

Trimper praised the efforts of Eric Swett and the UMaine athletic grounds crew for working to prepare the facility. It was only three weeks ago they used a tractor mounted with a snowblower to clear off the field.