SANFORD — The 2011 baseball season has been back-to-basics for Matt Verrier.

A year ago, he was sitting on top the Maine high school baseball world. He was tabbed as both the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year, as well as Mr. Maine Baseball, given to the top high school player in the state. As a catcher and captain at Oxford Hills, he hit .484 with two home runs and 30 RBIs.

Biddeford baseball fans knew Verrier’s name, as he and his teammates defeated the Tigers 1-0 in the Maine Class A state championship game last June.

But he has since moved on to college at the University of Maine at Orono, and not only has he had to adjust to life in the classroom, he’s made adjustments on the baseball diamond as well.

“The talent level is really good here,” Verrier said. “When you get here, everybody’s good. Catching is hard to learn, and I’m working hard at it so I can help them down the road. This year I’ve been sitting back and taking in everything.”

As a freshman, Verrier handled himself well behind the plate for the Black Bears. In 16 games, he hit .233 with two RBIs. More than that, he learned one cannot get by in Division I baseball on talent alone.

“The toughest thing for me is just getting comfortable with the game at this level, just slowing everything down,” Verrier said. “The receiving part of it was tough coming in, because everyone throws 90 [miles per hour] with movement on it, too, so it’s tough. Being a freshman catcher, everyone is older than you, so talking to junior and senior guys is pretty tough. It’s a little nerve-wracking, but everybody’s accepting here. The toughest part is probably the mental part of the game.”

Verrier is furthering his education this summer playing for the Sanford Mainers. And he has no better teacher than Mainers head coach Aaron Izaryk, who was also a catcher during his playing days at UMaine and while was an assistant coach.

“I know he was a pretty good catcher, so I know he can help me out there,” Verrier said. “Plus, it’s only an hour and 25 minutes from my house, so my family can come and see me, it’s not a big hassle.”

Verrier is also excited about the opportunity to put his skills up against other NECBL talent, which come from NCAA Division I through Division III.

“It’ll get me ready,” Verrier said. “Because that’s the talent that we play against next year. We’ve got some big schools on our schedule. It’s good for everybody because everybody gets to see better talent and get better.”

Verrier still routinely thinks about last year’s run at the state title.

“I think about it sometimes when I’m with my friends on that team,” Verrier said. “That was a goal that we had as freshmen, and we accomplished it. We still have rings for it, and I’ll remember it for the rest of my life. [Biddeford] played us tough, they had a good run.”

Once an enemy in York County, Verrier is now happy to play in front of those same residents on a nightly basis.

And he’s ready for his education.

— Contact Dave Dyer at 282-1535 ext. 318 or follow on Twitter @Dave_Dyer.