As a high school player, Drake Livada '10 was not sure he could play on the collegiate level until his sophomore year, when he hit fourth in the lineup, traditionally the spot reserved for the best power hitter, for a high school team that won the state championship in Maine. Now, as a sophomore in college, Livada is once again asserting himself as a key member of his baseball team.

"Last year, I was kind of a role player coming off the bench late in the game and pinch hitting," Livada said. "This year, I got a chance to start, and I'm just trying to make the most of it."

In just 19 at-bats, Livada is hitting .474 with two home runs and a team-leading 10 RBIs, averaging one RBI for every 1.9 plate appearances. He hit his second home run of the season in last Thursday's 11-7 win over Salve Regina University, and added two RBIs in a 9-8 win over the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth last Saturday.

Livada began this season like he ended his rookie year: as a pinch-hitter and infield reserve. He entered just 11 games last season, starting one, and had only 18 at-bats on the season.

But Livada starred in the Judges' University Athletic Association games in Florida at the beginning of the season. He was given the chance to start against then-No. 5 Emory University in the final game of the trip March 15, and took advantage, belting a three-run home run in the first inning to spur the Judges to a 10-7 upset win and a share of the UAA title.

"That was the turning point for me," he said. "When that happened, I knew that I would be a key player for this team all season."

Livada's play has earned him the starting third baseman spot over James Likis '10 in the past two games, but he said coach Pete Varney has yet to decide on a permanent starter.