MAINE vs. STONY BROOK

Time, site: Friday, 4 p.m.; Saturday (2), 1 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.; Mahaney Diamond, Orono

Records: Stony Brook 21-15 (8-4 America East), Maine 15-18-1 (3-5)

Series, last meeting: Stony Brook leads 16-14; SBU 13-4 on 5/26/07

Key players: Stony Brook – CF Brian Witkowski (.371, 4 HRs, 15 RBIs, 7 SBs), LF Steven Mazzurco (.339, 2 HRs, 17 RBIs), 1B Michael Stephan (.327, 8 HRs, 23 RBIs), SS Chad Marshall (.311, 17 RBIs); Maine – LF Curt Smith (.397, 9 HRs, 24 RBIs, 10 SBs), 1B Myckie Lugbauer (.379, 4 HRs, 31 RBIs), 3B Jarrett Lukas (.353, 4 HRs, 22 RBIs), SS Tony Patane (.323, 3 HRs, 27 RBIs), CF Billy Cather (.314, 2 HRs, 19 RBIs, 13 SBs)

Possible Pitching Matchups

Stony Brook Seawolves Maine Black Bears

ERA W-L Ks ERA W-L Ks

RH Tom Koehler 3.70 5-2 63 LH Kevin Scanlan 3.56 2-2 48

RH Gary Novakowski 4.72 4-3 29 RH Matt Jebb 3.83 2-2 51

RH Mike Errigo 6.05 2-4 48 RH Kyle Benoit 5.95 3-1 27

RH Jeremy Nowak 2.78 4-1 33 RH Alejandro Balsinde 4.75 1-4 14

Outlook: The Black Bears need to start making up ground to remain in the thick of the league postseason race. UMaine is still trying to shore up its pitching rotation with No. 1 starter Joe Miller dealing with mononucleosis. Senior Joel Thorney has come on strong of late. The second-place Seawolves have again established themselves as an AE front-runner. Pitching is a big key behind Koeler, Novakowski and the versatile Nowak (6 saves). UMaine likely will continue its “small ball” philosophy of bunting, stealing and moving runners and must capitalize on its scoring chances. SBU’s Stephan leads the league in on-base percentage (.555), having drawn 33 walks while being hit by a pitch 20 times.