ORONO, Maine — Joe Mercurio left campus last May with his baseball future at the University of Maine in limbo.
The catcher suffered through a lackluster junior season with the Black Bears, then had a falling out with head coach Steve Trimper.
Over the summer, which he spent with Forest City (N.C.) of the Coastal Plain League, Mercurio recommitted himself, mentally and physically, to the game and to UMaine.
The results this spring have been dramatic.
Mercurio has enjoyed a turnaround season in 2010. This weekend, he is among the seniors who will lead the Bears into their America East Conference three-game series at the University at Albany.
“With all the stuff that happened last summer, to come back and have a year like this is more than I could have asked for,” said the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder from Brewster, N.Y.
“It was more frustration with myself knowing that I wasn’t playing at the level that I knew I could,” he explained.
Mercurio, a .239 career hitter coming into this season, is third on the team with .370 batting average. He leads UMaine with five home runs, 11 doubles and a .652 slugging percentage, is second on the ballclub with 26 RBIs and is tied for third with 34 hits.
“To his credit, Joe started playing baseball and living in the moment,” Trimper said. “He started working on things he could control and relaxing a little bit. It’s a great example of a kid maturing.”
Mercurio had returned to campus last August with no guarantees from Trimper. He would have to prove himself and work for any playing time he got.
“In the beginning, I was just trying to keep my spot,” Mercurio said. “I knew what I was playing for.”
He was behind starter and classmate Myckie Lugbauer, but had a chance to help mentor two freshmen in Fran Whitten and Tyler Patalek.
It was a challenge Mercurio took to heart.
“Coach Trimper has asked me to be another coach on the field a lot of times,” Mercurio said. “I’m here to help the younger guys.”
Mercurio worked diligently on revamping his swing. Video taken by his host “dad” at Forest City helped Mercurio detect a flaw in his weight transfer.
He has since worked with his brother Michael, UMaine assistant coach Mike Cole and others to eradicate the mechanical problem and rediscover his offensive potential.
“He’s really shortened his swing,” Trimper said. “He’s really started to use his hands as a hitter. He’s covering the strike zone extremely well.”
Mercurio contributed consistently in the field while trying to utilize his communication skills to help his teammates. He enjoys working with the pitchers.
“When I go out to the mound to talk to them, it’s never about pitching,” said Mercurio, who transferred to UMaine after playing at Illinois in 2006. “I say something that will clear their head, probably about video games or something.”
Mercurio said pitching coach Aaron Izaryk sometimes allows him to call pitches, which speaks to his confidence in him.
“It’s great how well we’ve worked together this year,” Mercurio said.
He is quick to offer advice to his teammates. That includes Lugbauer, who has struggled at the plate so far this season.
Mercurio, who has been in that position, knows UMaine needs all of its veterans to play well to win America East.
“I’m the first one to help Myckie,” he said. “I know if we’re going to be successful in the conference, we need Myckie to start hitting.”
Mercurio credits his resurgence to dedication, hard work and the support of his family. He points to his father Joe, his longtime coach, as being a key influence on him.
He is quick to thank his mother Suzanne, brother Michael, sister Katie and paternal grandfather Joe Mercurio with helping him get through some of the difficult times.
“They’re hardworking. They’ve never let me give up,” Mercurio said. “With that kind of family support, there’s no way you can’t succeed because they’re never going to let you fail.”
Mercurio, who is majoring in broadcast journalism, expects he’ll be utilizing his language skills on the field rather than in the booth. He hopes to become a baseball coach.
In fact, he has a job lined up this summer with Glens Falls (N.Y.) of the New York Collegiate Baseball League.
“I love helping people. I love coaching the game,” he said. “I’ve got something I enjoy doing that I could do for the rest of my life.”
Trimper is pleased Mercurio has been able to forget about the past and get back on track.
“Joe’s always been a hardworking kid,” Trimper said. “He eats, sleeps and drinks baseball. I’m happy for him and excited for him putting together a great senior campaign.”