College
MAINE vs. UMAINE-PRESQUE ISLE
Time, site: Tuesday, 5 p.m., Mahaney Diamond, Orono, Maine
Records: Maine 11-19, UMPI 4-9
Series, last meeting: Maine leads 1-0, Maine 21-3 on 4/30/13
Key players: Maine — DH Luke Morrill (.375, 1 home run, 18 runs batted in), CF Sam Balzano (.346, 11 RBI), 2B Brett Chappell (.330, 1 HR, 26 RBI), 1B Brenden Geary (.328, 1 HR, 10 RBI), LF Scott Heath (.276, 2 HR, 20 RBI); UMPI (includes 11 games) — C Mitch Thayer (.583, 1 HR, 5 RBI), SS Matt Cauchon (.320, 2 RBI), 1B Matt Curry (.286, 5 RBI), 2B Adam Begos (.267, 1 HR, 6 RBI), CF Brady Rowe (.250, 4 RBI)
Pitching matchups: Maine — RH Jeff Gelinas (2-1, 5.81 earned run average, 24 strikeouts); UMPI — RH Matt Curry (1-2, 4.42, 18 K)
Game notes: The Black Bears are in need of some confidence coming off a 1-2 effort in an America East series at UMass Lowell. Last-place UMaine has lost five of its last seven and has not been able to sustain consistent starting pitching, nor has it produced enough runs. The Division III Owls, coached by Mike Pankow, remain on the road again coming off two Sunday setbacks at Southern Maine Community College and a 28-2 drubbing by Vermont Tech in the first game of a Monday doubleheader. UMPI’s roster includes 11 freshmen. UMaine is likely to utilize a handful of different pitchers to get them much-needed work, while the Owls also figure to rotate arms after playing four games the previous two days. The Bears return to America East play on Saturday and Sunday with a scheduled three-game series against Hartford at Mahaney Diamond.