The University of Maine baseball team is off to a 4-17 start as it prepares for a three-game America East series at Hartford this weekend (weather permitting). Of concern is the pitching staff, which has a 7.17 earned run average and is yielding nearly six walks per game. But head coach Nick Derba, who was promoted from interim head coach last year, insists his team is better than the record indicates. “It’s a very frustrating start but I’m optimistic,” said Derba.