ORONO – The University of Maine baseball team appeared destined for significant challenges heading into the 2004 season. Key personnel losses left the Black Bears young, with five underclassmen starting, and inexperienced in several key positions.

Coach Paul Kostacopoulos, his staff and the players made sure UMaine maintained its status as a New England power and an America East title contender. Exhibiting an outstanding work ethic that resulted in significant improvement during the course of the season, the Bears made it all the way to the league championship game.

“We were in the championship game, but we didn’t win it, so that means we have some things that we need to improve upon if we want to meet our goal next year, and that’s winning it,” Kostacopoulos said.

UMaine finished with a 34-21 record, including a 14-7 league mark, losing 3-1 to Stony Brook in Saturday’s AE title game at Mahaney Diamond.

The accomplishments and camaraderie of this team will not only be a source of pride for those in the program but should help springboard the Bears to greater success in 2005.

“We were a very tight-knit group,” Izaryk said. “Everybody got along, everybody wanted the next person to do well, and hopefully that carries over into next year.”

The foundation of the ballclub was pitching. Mike MacDonald of Camden set the tone, going 6-3 with a 3.11 earned run average and 91 strikeouts in 92 2/3 innings. The senior is likely to sign a pro contract later this month.

The staff’s other senior, Ryan Harris (5-2, 5.02, 34Ks), was a dependable reliever on a staff that compiled a 3.68 ERA.

Sophomore Troy Martin and freshman Steve Richard emerged as legitimate Division I pitchers. Martin (5-2, 3.11, 53Ks) and Richard (4-2, 3.09, 63Ks) were UMaine’s Nos. 2 and 3 starters during the America East season.

Sophomore Greg Norton of South Portland (4-6, 4.98, 46Ks) had a few struggles in a starting role, but is likely to be back in the rotation next season. Another bright spot was sophomore Scott Robinson, who missed last season after shoulder surgery, but returned as the Bears’ trustworthy closer.

Robinson was 4-0 with a stingy 2.14 ERA and collected six saves while making a team-high 21 appearances.

Junior Greg Creek of Chelsea (2-0, 1.77) saw limited mound duty as he was an everyday player at first base, then at third. He could figure in the pitching plans again next year.

UMaine also will have depth with the likes of junior Jamie Grattelo of Biddeford (2-4, 3.63), Ryan Brown of Old Town (1-1, 5.40), lefthander Sam Warner (1-1, 6.91), Justin Bishop and Will Carroll.

The Bears return a wealth of experience in the field, losing only center fielder Simon Williams of Portland (.281, 1 HR, 29 RBI, 26 stolen bases) and backups Pete Saunders of Bucksport (.280, 2 HR, 15 RBI) and Mark Reichley.

Creek led UMaine with a .365 average and provided six homers, 45 RBIs and a team-best 80 hits and 48 runs scored. Brewer freshman Joel Barrett, a dependable first baseman, burst onto the scene by hitting .359 with a homer and 35 RBIs.

He was joined in the middle of the order by sophomore outfielder Joe Hough (.348, 42 RBI, 12 SB), who led the Bears with seven home runs, soph left fielder Ryan Quintal (.294, 6 HR, 44 RBI) and freshman designated hitter/catcher Matt McGraw (.344, 2 HR, 17 RBI).

Mainstay Aaron Izaryk (.287, 5 HR, 38 RBI) will return to provide leadership and experience behind the plate, while junior second baseman Mike Ferriggi (.271, 1 HR, 23 RBI) and sophomore shortstop Jason Harvey of Bucksport (.250, 14 RBI) continue to improve.

“I can be a tough critic as far as performances go, but this team really made a believer out of me,” Kostacopoulos said.

“I think we have developed a program in which people have expectations of competing for championships,” he added.

The Bears’ bench includes Ross Cantara of Biddeford (.471, 3 RBI) who missed most of the season with a broken wrist, along with outfielder Jason Houser and catcher Steve Kabatznick.

“This team exceeded all expectations this year and it was just amazing to even get to this point and play in the championship,” Norton said.

UMaine also expects to bring in several recruits, including a few who could have an immediate impact. Kostacopoulos hopes the Bears can improve their range, execution and depth in the infield.

The Bears should be back at or near the top of America East and challenging for an NCAA Tournament berth next season.

“I’m already looking forward to next year,” Ferriggi said. “A lot of younger guys stepped up for us, coach has built a good program here, we have some recruits coming in and we’ll get right back at it.”