FARMINGTON -- The University of Maine at Farmington baseball team is scheduled to kick off its 2008 season on March 21 with a doubleheader at Massachusetts Maritime Academy at 1 p.m. Schedule

Farmington head coach Dick Meader hopes the Beavers’ veteran pitching staff can lead them to the playoffs.

“We’d like to win more games then we lose and to keep improving,” said Meader. “We made it to the playoffs last year, but we didn’t win. We would like to come away with some wins this year.”

Last season Farmington (9-19) was eliminated from the North Atlantic Conference Tournament after losses to Castleton (16-1) and Husson (9-2). However, Meader believes the strength of the pitching staff coupled with the team’s collection of returning players, should be enough to propel the Beavers to postseason success.

"Our pitching staff has been something that has kept us in games the past few years," said Meader.

Captain Dan Stefanilo (Sanford, ME) agreed with his coach, stating the team has already set high expectations for itself.

“We’ve had one goal that the team has talked about together," said the senior. "And our goal is to win a championship together. I think the way our pitching staff is assembled, that goal is very realistic.”

Meader said Craig Pendleton (Saco, ME) will lead Farmington from the mound. In twenty three innings of work last year, the junior left-hander struck out 23, allowed 25 hits and 15 earned runs, while opponents only mustered a .272 batting average against him.

Junior pitchers Dan Hemdal (Nashua, NH) and Pat Howell (Nobleboro, ME) as well as sophomore pitcher Brian Morrison (Saco, ME) will also see a lot of time on the mound. Last year Hemdal led the team in wins (3), in strikeouts (33), and in innings pitched (39.2). Howell pitched the second highest amount of innings (32) and fanned twenty-six batters. Morrison led the team in runs allowed (13) and in opponents’ batting average (.247). Senior pitcher Jared Wales (New Gloucester, ME) returns the team after posting a 4.99 earned-run average with 28 strikeouts in 30 innings as a sophomore and 3-2 with a 1.59 ERA as a freshman.

Senior Kyle Feltis (Bristol, ME), who pitched nine games in relief, and sophomore Bill Ridge (South Portland, ME), who pitched five games in relief, add depth to the staff. Coach Meader also said he hopes to see some younger arms contribute this year. Freshman pitchers include Matt Levine (Pelham, NH), Will Griffiths (Mechanic Falls, ME), Andrew Dean (Gorham, ME) and Roy Burdin (Guilford, ME).

While Meader is not concerned about pitching, he does admit he's unsure of how the team will look offensively and defensively.

“It’s all still a little early to tell,” said Meader. “The question mark is going to be defense and how well we hit the ball. We will see what each game tells us and go from there.”

So far, Coach Meader has junior captain Tyler Hanson (Sanford, ME) pegged as the starting catcher and freshman Josh Garneau (South Portland, ME) at third base. Stefanilo and sophomore Michael Cummons (Lincolnville, ME) are slated to play first and DH. Sophomore Matt Judkins (Thomaston, ME) and senior Corey Provencher (Rumford, ME) are penciled in at short and sophomore Kyle Shea (Bar Harbor, ME) at second. Phineas Peake (Penobscot, ME) will return to center field and Provencher, Dean, and freshman Russ Schmelzer (Winthrop, ME) will also play in the outfield.

The Beavers will also rely on veterans Provencher and Hanson. Last year, Provencher, named All-Conference Second Team, finished eighth in the league with a .360 batting average and led UMF in hits (31), doubles (5), home runs (2), RBI (15), slugging percentage (.515) and total bases (44). Hanson finished second on the team in batting average (.342), on base percentage (.462), and hits (26).

Hanson and Pendleton played for the D.C. Grays of the Clark C. Griffith Collegiate Baseball League in Washington, D.C. this past summer. According to assistant coach Edwin Thompson, the Clark Griffith League is one of the best wooden bat summer leagues in the country.

Sophomore Steve Hutchinson (Beverly, MA) along with freshmen Mitchell Bean (Old Orchard Beach, ME) and Matt Hernandez (Minot, ME) are also in the mix for Farmington.

Stefanilo believes the Beavers can put together a strong a lineup.

“We have deep pitching and great starting pitching. It’s all going to be how we hit. If we hit well then our team will be good in our league,” said Stefanilo. “Our offense looks pretty good. We have a couple of young players who are going to step in and contribute. It’s definitely the best it’s been since I’ve been here.”

In addition to NAC play, Farmington has a strong non-conference schedule on tap including Bates, Colby, University of Maine at Presque-Isle, Massachusetts Maritime, Gordon, Emerson and Fisher. The Beavers' first 14 games are scheduled to be on the road with a doubleheader against conference foe Thomas College on April 9 at 1 p.m. tabbed as the home opener.

"The schedule again is a very tough one," said Meader. "Our conference is so balanced. Every game you need to be at your best in order to win. We wanted to add some new teams to challenge ourselves so when we get to our conference schedule we will be well-tested."

NAC preseason poll