The University of Maine baseball team was anxious to get back on the diamond this weekend for its first games in the northern portion of its schedule.

Instead, the Black Bears will have to settle for more indoor workouts at the Mahaney Dome on campus.

UMaine’s scheduled three-game series at New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury, N.Y., has been wiped out because of field conditions.

“They canceled on us,” said UMaine coach Steve Trimper, who hopes one of the games can be made up when New York Tech visits Mahaney Diamond in Orono for what was originally slated as a single game April 4.

Weather and field conditions could well be a factor in whether that game, and the April 5-6 series against New Jersey Tech is played – in Orono or at all. Trimper mentioned the ability to get on the field earlier as a great example of why UMaine is pursuing an artificial surface, hopefully for the 2009 season.

Apparently, the recent storm took a toll on New York Tech’s field and the school was unable to get the tarp down because of high winds.

Trimper spent Friday scrambling, attempting to set up a last-minute nonleague series against America East member Vermont, where he previously was an assistant under Bill Currier.

After pursuing every possible option, including making inquiries about facilities in Virginia and Montreal, nothing panned out.

“We had two or three great practices [during the week] and we’re anxious to play,” said Trimper, whose Bears will instead begin gearing up for a four-game set next weekend (Friday through Sunday) at Wagner College on Staten Island, N.Y.

UMaine was expected to utilize sophomore righthander Joe Miller, freshman lefthander Kevin Scanlan and freshman righty Kyle Benoit in the starting rotation at NYIT. Instead, that trio is likely to be joined by freshman righty Matt Jebb in the rotation at Wagner.

In the meantime, the Bears will get some much-needed practice in the Mahaney Dome.

Bears’ Jillson on the shelf

Josh Jillson of Wales has resigned himself to a year on the sidelines after undergoing rotator cuff surgery recently.

The freshman lefthander, who starred at Oak Hill High School, explained he hurt the shoulder pitching early last spring in cold weather. After a physical exam failed to reveal a tendon tear, Jillson continued to pitch through the high school and American Legion seasons under the impression he was dealing with tendinitis.

However, the pain got increasingly worse and his effectiveness was greatly diminished. Eventually, the extent of the injury was uncovered.

Jillson, who compiled a 16-5 career record with a 1.50 earned run average and 145 strikeouts at Oak Hill, hopes to return to action next season for UMaine.

Coffin earns All-American status

Bates College of Lewiston senior Meg Coffin has been named as an honorable mention selection on the NCAA Division III All-American women’s basketball team.

The 6-foot-2 center earned her fourth postseason award this winter, and was one of 40 players who garnered All-American honors.

Coffin, who missed the 2006-07 season due to injury, ranked among the NESCAC leaders in multiple statistical categories. The 2006 Conference Player of the Year averaged 15.3 points and 9.4 rebounds per game while shooting at a 56.4 percent clip and collecting nine double-doubles.

Coffin closed her college career with 1,252 points and 789 rebounds, both fourth all-time in school history.

pwarner@bangordailynews.net

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