NCAA TOURNAMENT

MAINE vs. MISSISSIPPI

Time, site: Friday, 8 p.m.; Swayze Field, Oxford, Miss.

Records: Maine 34-17; Mississippi 44-18

Series, last meeting: 1st meeting

Top hitters – Maine: DH Greg Creek (.345, 9 HR, 31 RBI), 1B Joel Barrett (.343, 7 HR, 41 RBI), 3B Curt Smith (.339, 2 HR, 36 RBI, 10 SB), LF Ryan Quintal (.338, 6 HR, 44 RBI), CF Joe Hough (.330, 5 HR 35 RBI, 21 SB); Ole Miss: RF Brian Pettway (.400, 19 HR, 63 RBI), 3B Chris Coghlan (.348, 6 HR, 53 RBI), 2B Cooper Osteen (.314, 30 RBI, 13 SB), 1B Stephen Head (.310, 18 HR, 64 RBI), LF Mark Wright (.306, 12 HR, 44 RBI)

Possible Pitching Matchup

Maine Black Bears Mississippi Rebels

ERA W-L Ks ERA W-L Ks

RH Steve Richard 2.22 8-1 90 RH Mark Holliman 4.19 7-4 114

Outlook: The Bears realize they’ll have to be at the top of their game against the Rebels. UMaine needs outstanding pitching from Richard and can’t afford to give Ole Miss extra outs by committing errors. The Bears feature good offensive balance throughout the lineup, but must hit the ball the other way, move runners when possible and capitalize with runners in scoring position. The Rebels are the top fielding team in the potent Southeastern Conference at .975. Ole Miss’ Pettway, the SEC’s top hitter, is among seven regulars hitting better than .300. The Rebels are averaging a healthy 7.4 runs per contest with 76 homers this season.