UMaine baseball begins its 135th season today and the opening day opponent is the #3 ranked team in the nation, the Texas Tech Red Raiders from the Big 12 Conference.

Former Bangor HS standout Justin Courtney gets the opening day starting nod as he begins his senior season. A year ago, Courtney led the Black Bears in starts (15) and in ERA (3.92). He had a record of 4-5.

Texas Tech (Lubbock, TX) is coming off a 45-17 season and a NCAA tournament appearance.  The Red Raiders return 22 players.

Nick Derba begins his first season as head coach of the Black Bears. He spent last spring as interim head coach when Steve Trimper left UMaine for Stetson University in Florida.

Maine and Texas Tech play a single game today at 3pm, a doubleheader on Saturday and another single game on Sunday.

The Black Bears are coming off a playoff run that got them to the America East championship game last spring. The 2018 preseason poll picks the Bears to finish in second place.

Mahaney Diamond in Orono will be the host site for the conference tourney in late May

Click here to check out UMaine baseball schedule.

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