ORONO – Last July, when the University of Maine was selected as the site for the America East Baseball Championship, coach Paul Kosta-copoulos had mixed feelings.

Sure, playing the conference tournament at Mahaney Diamond would be a nice perk – but the young Black Bears first had to qualify for the four-team, double-elimination event.

UMaine clinched a spot in the tournament 12 days ago, but the fact the Bears take a 32-19 record, including a 14-7 America East mark, into today’s action is testament to a team that has overachieved this spring.

The second-seeded Bears meet No. 3 Albany tonight in a 7 p.m. first-round game. Tourney passes are $15 for adults, $4 for children, day passes are $6 and $3, and groups of 10 or more students get in for $2.

“For this team to make postseason is really special,” said UMaine’s eighth-year head coach. “We were vulnerable this year.”

Several of this year’s starters had limited roles or didn’t even play in 2003. Catcher Aaron Izaryk, outfielders Ryan Quintal and Simon Williams were the only returning regulars.

While the Bears had the foundation of a starting pitching staff in seniors Mike MacDonald of Camden and Ryan Harris, and sophomore Greg Norton of South Portland, they had to revamp the infield.

Izaryk was back behind the plate. Junior Greg Creek of Chelsea stepped in at third base and leads the team in several offensive categories, including hits, runs, doubles and RBIs. Freshman Joel Barrett of Brewer, who redshirted in 2003, has been a mainstay at first base and leads the Bears with a .372 batting average.

“I think everyone felt it was going to be a rebuilding year, that we were going to struggle,” Creek admitted. “It’s amazing to the coaching staff and most of the players, I think, that we’ve succeeded as much as we have.”

Second baseman Mike Ferriggi, a reserve last season, has been steady at second base while Husson College transfer Jason Harvey of Bucksport, who joined the team in January, has improved steadily.

There is a bit more experience in the outfield, where Portland’s Williams is a three-year starter. Quintal started 30 games last season, while Hough has made the transition to full-time right fielder by batting .363 with a team-high seven home runs to go with 40 RBIs.

“These guys have emerged,” Kostacopoulos said. “Most of these guys have been in the program, they just haven’t played. As a coach and as a program, that’s always what you want is to develop other kids who can step in and play.”

MacDonald (5-3, 3.36 earned run average) has set the pace among the starting pitchers. An arm injury relegated Harris to relief duty and Norton has been inconsistent. Enter sophomore Troy Norton, who moved into the No. 2 slot and is 5-1 with a 3.38 ERA.

“Troy’s really been huge,” Kostacopoulos said. “Teams are hitting [.205] off him. That’s pretty amazing.”

Freshman Steve Richard eventually took over the No. 3 spot and has been impressive (4-2, 2.98). Harris has developed into a dependable setup man, while Scott Robinson (3-0, 2.28, six saves) returned after missing the entire 2003 season (shoulder surgery) to give UMaine a trustworthy closer.

“It has taken us pretty much to this point to get decent and get the job done,” Kostacopoulos said. “It’s all fallen into place.”

Starting tonight, they’ll try to peak in time to win an America East championship.

“They just love to play and their passion to go out there and play the game has carried us a long way,” Kostacopoulos said.