Newport, R.I. — Maddix Dalena experienced his share of firsts this year on the baseball diamond.

During a productive freshman season at UConn, Dalena belted a two-run home run for his first collegiate hit in his first game against Ohio State on Feb. 19.

He delivered in his first postseason at-bat, drilling a pinch-hit RBI single in the ninth inning in a 3-2 loss to Texas Tech in UConn’s NCAA tournament opener in the Gainesville Regional in Florida on June 2.

Now he’s playing in the New England Collegiate Baseball League for the first time as a member of the Mystic Schooners.

On a warm, sunny Wednesday, Dalena was in the starting lineup for the first game of a doubleheader against the Newport Gulls at historic Cardines Field. Primarily a first baseman, he made a rare start at third.

Dalena is working his way out of a slump.

After managing only two hits in his first 28 plate appearances, Dalena went 2-for-8 in the two games prior to Wednesday.

Dalena, who bats left and throws right-handed, slugged his first home run in a win at Keene on Friday.

“It felt really good,” said Dalena before Wednesday’s doubleheader. “I really needed that to just feel something. Hopefully, it’s starting to come around. With wood bats, it’s a little different.”

Dalena’s lack of success at the plate is partially a byproduct of Mystic playing its home games at pitcher-friendly Dodd Stadium, according to manager Phil Orbe.

“He went 0-for-1 (in one game) with a sac fly and a flyout with a combined distance of both balls over 800 feet,” Orbe said. “Anywhere else, he’s 2-for-2 with two home runs. ... And he’s faced a couple of tough lefties, too. I’m not trying to shelter him away from a tough matchup. It’s part of his maturation.”

Dalena is not letting his hitting woes get him down.

“It is really frustrating, but you’ve got to keep staying positive, keep going at each at-bat like a new start,” Dalena said.

As a newcomer to the NECBL scene, Dalena is learning to make the necessary adjustments.

The 6-foot-3, 218 pound Dalena is younger and has less experience than most of his teammates, just like at UConn.

“As a true freshman (at UConn), he was a little bit behind the 8-ball a little bit only because of the way college baseball has evolved with all the 23- and 24-year-olds,” Orbe said.

“I was having a conversation with (Dalena) and Drew Kron, another true freshman from UConn, ‘Guys, you’re literally 19 years old. There’s kids who were 23 at UConn, kids coming back next year are like almost 24. Four or five years, it’s a huge difference. You’re not going to dominate this year, it’s not going to happen. So you have to make sure this is part of your process.’

“Hopefully, Maddix and Drew are both ready to compete for starting positions next fall at UConn.”

Dalena is putting in the work this summer.

Living in Storrs with Schooner teammate and fellow Husky Tommy Ellisen this summer, Dalena regularly works out in the baseball facility, which is open to players 24 hours a day.

His goal is to try to get better every single day.

“I just want to work on myself as a player, just mature and learn new stuff every day and just keep having fun,” Dalena said. “When I was a little kid, I played this game because it was fun and I’m going to keep doing that.”

Dalena’s UConn baseball career is off to a promising start.

Last season, he batted .254 with a double, triple, three home runs and 11 RBI in 30 games, including 13 starts at first base and designated hitter. He didn’t commit an error.

Dalena is looking to build on that success and compete for a starting job next season.

“I took a lot away from this year,” Dalena said. “I learned a lot of things. I’m super excited for next year. It was really fun this year with all those guys and going to the Florida Regional. When I was young, I always watched it on TV. It was just a dream being there and being part of it.”

As a three-sport standout at Montoursville High School in Pennsylvania, Dalena competed on the football, wrestling and baseball teams. As the quarterback, he led Montoursville to the district championship game.

But baseball has always been his first priority.

“Baseball was the first thing I played when I was younger and I’ve just always loved it, always loved being out in the field,” he said. “I had to have a ball in my hand or a bat.

Orbe has been impressed with Dalena’s athleticism and defensive prowess.

“He runs really well,” Orbe said. “He’s very athletic. Now it’s the mental part of the game that he needs to make the biggest strides right now. … Really studying pitchers and things like that. It’s all something you get with more experience, the only way to get more experience is to get experience and that’s what we’re trying to provide him this summer.

“This is going to benefit him a great deal.”

g.keefe@theday.com