By Mike Esse, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State's Big Ten opener Friday night did not go as planned. In fact, the early season for the Nittany Lions hasn't gone as planned.

So, on Saturday in game two of the three game series against Purdue, head coach Robbie Wine came in with a new plan: Sit three players that had started a combined 54 games coming into Saturday in favor of three players that had a combined 10 career starts, nine of which came from one player.

It was something Wine hadn't done all season, but felt it was something his team needed to see happen as they were on an eight game losing skid.

"I was just shaking things up, shuffling around and sometimes the guys that have been playing every day, it gives them a chance to sit back and watch and get them jump-started," said Wine after the game.

The changes paid off in an interesting way for a few different Nittany Lions as Penn State scored two runs in the ninth inning to tie the game, 4-4, before falling to Purdue in 10 innings, 5-4.

"I was really happy with the way we came back and scored those two runs," said Wine. "We could have rolled over and we didn't."

Redshirt freshman Ryky Smith, who had previously started nine games at three different positions while hitting .189 coming in, saw the opportunity to boast his offensive prowess that his coaches talked about coming into the 2013 season.

The York, Pa. native finished the game 3-for-4 with two runs scored, including his first career double in the fifth inning.

Same story for true freshman James Coates who had already become one of the Nittany Lions' most reliable bats in the early season in his 20 starts. Coates was 1-for-4 with a run scored as he continued to impress his head coach.

"When (James) goes up there it seems like it's a good at bat all the time," said Wine. "Pitchers have to work and make pitches with him and he's not afraid to take a strike, he's not afraid to work counts."

Although it was a little different of an opportunity for another true freshman in third basemen Tyler Kendall and redshirt freshman Ryan Richter, who had one start between them heading into Saturday, Wine knew what he was going to get from two guys that had worked tirelessly to get such an opportunity.

Both players had a chance to make their presence felt in the lineup and they did exactly that. Kendall had a sac fly in the fifth that allowed the Smith to score and came through with an RBI double in the seventh to get Penn State within two runs of the Boilermakers, a hit that seemed to revive his Nittany Lion teammates.

"(Tyler Kendall) has been swinging the bat well in batting practice, but it's hard to fit him in with the guys we have on the field, but he handled it today," said Wine. "He knows the game, he is a baseball guy and understands the game and knows situations and what to anticipate and is a step ahead of the game before the pitch is thrown."

Richter also made an impact for Penn State in his first career start with a sacrifice bunt and a hit by pitch in the third and fifth innings, respectively.

And then there was perhaps the most intriguing story line of them all in second basemen Luis Montesinos, a senior that had started 19 games in 2013 and was on the bench for eight innings before getting his name called in the ninth.

Montesinos followed the lead of the three freshmen and came in clutch with a two run single to tie the game at four in the ninth inning.

"It's good to sit back and watch a game and see how easy it can be sometimes," said Wine, regarding Montesinos sitting for most of the game before his pinch-hit single. "When you're in a battle it speeds up and you can't think clear, it's good for them to sit there and watch a game once in a while."

All four players saw the chance and ran with it in a game where Penn State showed some grit, heart and comeback ability on a breezy late March day in Happy Valley.

Even with the loss, there is much for Wine to take away from an up and down game on Saturday.

"The guys [have] been working hard all year long, not getting an opportunity and it was time. It was just time to do it. If we had more mid-week games, they would have had more opportunities," said Wine. "I was happy with the way they performed."

Maybe most importantly, Wine's players didn't give up, they didn't lose hope for a moment and that might be the best thing the ninth year head coach has seen all season.

"It meant everything to me," he said. "I wanted to see a fight and some spark and there was spark, there was some energy and determination and frustration. Emotions were coming out instead of yesterday's game that was just blah and it really frustrated me.

"This is the kind of team we are, we are a team that can come from behind especially with the guys that did it. The way it happened was very pleasing for me and I think it's a sign of good things to come."

Those good things could come as soon as Sunday morning when Penn State faces Purdue in the last game of the three game series at 11 a.m. There's no telling who will be in the lineup for Penn State on Sunday, but it is safe to say that Wine's new plan worked on Saturday afternoon.

--NITTANY LIONS--

By Scott Traweek, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State (5-16, 0-4 Big Ten) dropped its Big Ten home opener to Purdue (8-14, 1-3 Big Ten) on Saturday afternoon, falling 6-1 to the Boilermakers.  The Nittany Lions struggled both offensively and defensively, but the pitching staff showed promise throughout.

For the 13^th time this season, Penn State scored first, manufacturing a run in the first inning with strong base running and timely hitting.

Junior Steve Snyder singled with one out to put runners on first and second and then the Nittany Lions attempted a double steal. 

Snyder was thrown out at second, but senior third baseman Elliot Searer reached third safely.  Sophomore designated hitter J.C. Coban stepped in with two outs and reached on an infield single, scoring Searer to give Penn State a 1-0 advantage.

From that point on Purdue pitcher Jordan Minch settled in, throwing eight innings and allowing just one run on five hits with five strikeouts.  The freshman tossed the vast majority of his offerings on the outer half of the plate and Penn State was unable to adapt on offense.

"He was throwing the ball on the outer half of the plate," said Penn State head coach Robbie Wine.  "Ninety-five percent of [his pitches] were on the outer half of the plate and there were no adjustments being made."

Despite the result, the Nittany Lions saw their pitching staff perform well for the majority of the contest, allowing just four earned runs and never allowing more than two runs in an inning.

Starting pitcher T. J. Jann threw four innings and allowed two runs on three hits.  After pitching well in the first and second innings, the sophomore struggled with his accuracy in the third and was unable to recover.

Nevertheless, freshman Nick Hedge entered the game in relief and pitched three and one-third innings of relief, allowing three runs - just one earned - with only one walk.

"Nick [Hedge] did a good job today," said Wine.  "He threw strikes, only had one walk and he did his job."

Unfortunately it was the little mistakes that hurt the team the most.  Penn State gave up a run in five different innings, two of them unearned, and the offense could not produce.

Senior Steven Hill will take the mound when the Nittany Lions return to action on Saturday at 2:05 p.m. for the second game of the series versus the Boilermakers.

--NITTANY LIONS--

By Scott Traweek, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Despite a strong offensive performance on Wednesday afternoon, Penn State (5-15, 0-3 Big Ten) dropped its home opener against Pittsburgh (16-6, 3-0 Big East), 10-8, at Medlar Field.  The Nittany Lions found a rhythm at the plate and look to build on the experience when they face Purdue (7-14, 0-3 Big Ten) over the weekend.

Penn State took an early lead against the Panthers, as the team has done throughout the season, scoring five runs in the first inning.  The Nittany Lions outhit Pittsburgh 10-9 and were able to manufacture eight runs using the same small-ball the coaches and players have been working on all year.

It was the fifth time Penn State has scored eight or more runs in a game, the previous four coming towards the end of a Spring Break trip when the hitters were able to find a rhythm after playing eight games in ten days.

Head coach Robbie Wine understands the importance of playing a lot of baseball to give his young team experience and the Nittany Lions needed a midweek game to prepare themselves for the next conference series, even if it had to be played in temperatures in the upper 30's.

"It's a lack of repetitions, it's a lack of being on the field, and it's a lack of game speed," said Wine, "and you can't simulate that. We're fighting it right now and they just have to keep their heads up and keep fighting."

The offense showed substantial improvement in the loss with seven of Penn State's starters recording a hit and five earning an RBI in the game.  Senior third baseman Elliot Searer, who leads the team with a .364 batting average, and freshman left fielder James Coates each notched two hits, two RBIs and a run scored on the afternoon.

Searer's clutch moment came in the sixth inning with one out and runners on first and third.  The senior executed a perfect bunt single to give the Nittany Lions an 8-7 lead.  Unfortunately the Panthers tied the game in the seventh and took a 10-8 lead in the ninth inning to seal the victory.

On the defensive side, Penn State cycled through eight pitchers in an attempt to give players a chance to take the field before competing in the Big Ten again this weekend.  Though the Lions gave up runs, it was crucial for the pitching staff to learn from the experience.

"I like our offense, I like our pitching too, and I like our defense," said Wine.  "We're just not clicking on all cylinders.  We came off our Spring Break trip, where we felt like we were clicking, and then we had to play inside and we had to start all over."

Penn State will try to take the field during practice tomorrow to work on repetition in preparation for the weekend series vs. the Boilermakers.

"We're just going to get out there and try to simulate some game situations on the field tomorrow," said Wine.  "We're going to get on that grass and dirt again and just play baseball, get back to the fundamentals."

Purdue has had its own challenges this season after being swept by Ohio State to begin conference play.  The Boilermakers have a 6.66 team ERA and a .233 team batting average.  Redshirt senior Jake Hansen leads the offense with a .361 clip, while Sean McHugh has a team-best 12 RBIs.

Playing at home for the first time was a welcome opportunity and the players are looking forward to continuing the home stretch against Purdue.

"It's great for them," said Wine.  "They came out of class today...they were ready to go and the energy level was high, so it was nice."

Coach Wine's message to the team remains the same: he and the entire coaching staff know what these players are capable of. 

Confidence is critical during a losing streak and the Nittany Lions need to believe in each other.

"Just keep battling," said Wine. "Keep fighting, keep working, keep your head up, believe in yourselves, and have confidence.  It will come around and I think they know it will come around."

--NITTANY LIONS--

By Scott Traweek, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After opening conference play dropping three straight games to No. 22 Indiana (18-3, 3-0 Big Ten), Penn State baseball (5-14, 0-3 Big Ten) returned to Happy Valley with a plan to return to the basics.

It has been a hectic start to the 2013 season for the Nittany Lions, who've played 19 games and have yet to step foot on their home turf.   Three games have already been cancelled and the players have competed in four doubleheaders, all as a result of weather.

The inability for the players to practice outdoors and the chaotic schedule has made it difficult for them to get into midseason form and, as a result, the team's consistency has suffered.

"We need to get back into game mode," said head coach Robbie Wine.  "We're at the mercy of Mother Nature right now.  My goal is to find a way to get this team on the field."

Any opportunity for the Nittany Lions to play outdoors at home has been squandered by cold temperatures, rain, and snow, which means the players are seeing their first outdoor practices at opposing stadiums just before game time. 

Every northern team faces a similar challenge, though many have already played a home game.

Nevertheless, the coaches and players aren't searching for excuses.  What coach Wine knows is that he has a team with a lot of potential.  All Penn State needs now is experience.

"At this point right now I like our team," said Wine.  "They need repetition, getting in that game mentality and getting on the field."

Teams in the south are playing four or five games every week.  When the Nittany Lions returned from their Spring Break road trip, which included eight games over ten days, they were playing some of the best baseball the team had seen all year.

Since then, Penn State has played five games in two weeks, four of which were played in double headers and three more games were cancelled.

"There's no substitute for playing an opponent and that's what we're lacking right now," said Wine.

Despite the challenges, the coaching staff has worked to prepare their players both mentally and physically for every single game.

"This coaching staff never gives up," said Wine.  "We keep working, we keep them focused, and we don't give up on players."

The Nittany Lions have had a positive mentality through it all, but for the first time it wavered at Indiana.  The coaches noticed the change and knew it was time to take a step back and breathe.  When the rhythm broke following the Spring Break trip, it was time to focus on the basics once again.

"We have to get back to the fundamentals," said Wine.  "We have to get back to not striking out, putting the ball in play, bunting and moving runners over, and finding a way to do the little things."

It's the little things that define this Penn State squad.  Small-ball, getting batters on base, moving them into scoring position, and coming up with timely hits is what the players have been working on since the season began.

Under normal circumstances, players are reaching midseason form at this point and talent begins to replace the fundamentals, but when that rhythm is broken, then its back to the basics.

The players want to win and they are prepared to work for it, but patience is key when it comes to weather in State College.

"The fight, the determination, the work ethic is there, but we have to back track a little bit because of the weather and go back to the basics with fundamentals," said Wine.

Baseball is a game of inches, as the Nittany Lions are fond of saying, and it's executing the little things, a bunt or a hit and run, that can make the difference.

-NITTANY LIONS-

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The road doesn't get any easier for Penn State baseball (5-11) as the team opens the 2013 Big Ten slate at No. 22 Indiana (15-3).  The Nittany Lions are looking to upset the Hoosiers with small-ball on offense and a new and improved pitching staff.

When it comes to the Big Ten, results don't always match what's on paper.  A team that's been struggling can rebound once conference play begins.  Every game becomes a battle as players raise the level of competition in the quest for a title and a berth in the College World Series.

"There are always close games," said pitching coach Jason Bell in reference to the Big Ten.  "The intensity's turned up a notch.  The players realize that this is the first weekend, but it's as important as the last weekend of the conference [schedule]."

Last season, Penn State faced a prolonged away stretch early on and returned to Happy Valley with a 3-14 record.  The Nittany Lions then proceeded to catch fire, finishing the year third in the Big Ten with an 18-4 home record and on a streak of six consecutive conference series wins.

Now, following another tough beginning to the season, the players are looking forward to a fresh start heading into conference play, along with the chance to make a statement against a nationally ranked opponent.

"We haven't had the start we wanted, but this is the Big Ten season," said senior third baseman Elliot Searer.  "It's a clean slate.  We want to attack the Big Ten and do something like we did last year."

Offensively, Penn State has scored first in 11 of its first 16 games, but the players have been struggling with their consistency.  Part of the reason is because the Nittany Lions developed a new offensive style following the departure of power hitters Jordan Steranka, Joey DeBernardis, and Sean Deegan.

The players have been relying on speed and bat control to get runners on base, advance them and bring them home.  Adjusting to the new offense has made finding a rhythm difficult, but after weeks of fine tuning, the players are beginning to feel confident in their improvements.

"I feel comfortable with our game," said junior centerfielder Steve Snyder.  "We're going to bunt, we're going to steal, we're going to drive runners in and that's how we have to play."

The first conference series is crucial because it establishes a foundation and creates a positive mentality going forward.

"It's definitely important [to start Big Ten play well]," said Snyder.  "It builds our confidence.  You always want to start off on top of the standings instead of at the bottom."

Indiana, who enters the series ranked 22nd nationally by Baseball America, won't make winning easy.  The Hoosiers boast a team ERA of 2.11 and a team batting average of .314.  Sophomore Kyle Schwarber and junior Dustin DeMuth lead the offense, batting .436 and .394 respectively.  Indiana has also accumulated 13 home runs thus far, featuring five from Schwarber.

"They're a good team," said Searer.  "They have a couple big hitters that could do some damage, they have good pitching and they aren't going to beat themselves, so we can't do that either."

Despite the hype, the Nittany Lions are focused on playing their style of baseball.

"We're not going to buy into the stats," said Snyder.  "If we can play our game, then we can win."

Even with the talent on Indiana, almost every Big Ten matchup is a grind.  The key to emerging victorious is playing sound baseball.

"You have to execute," said Bell.  "If coach Wine puts a bunt on, we have to get the bunt down.  If the other team puts a bunt down, we have to execute, throw a strike, and get an out.  You can't give away free outs and you can't give away free runs."

The fact is it will be a challenging series for Penn State, but if the hitters find their rhythm and the pitchers keep the game close, then the Nittany Lions can compete with any team in the country.

"It's going to be a battle for us, but if we go in there and do what we are capable of doing, we're going to be in every game," said Bell.  "We're going to have a chance to win, but it's going to come down to execution."

Penn State made an adjustment to the pitching staff heading into the series against the Hoosiers.  The Nittany Lions will move senior pitcher Dave Walkling to the bullpen and start sophomore T.J. Jann on Friday.  Senior Steven Hill will take the mound on Saturday and junior Greg Welsh, who posted four and one-third shutout innings against Temple after returning from a hand injury, will be the Sunday starter.

Game one of the three game series is slated for 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 22.

--NITTANY LIONS--

By Scott Traweek, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State suffered a pair of hard-fought defeats at Temple on Sunday, March 17, falling 4-2 in game one and 3-2 in extra innings of game two.  Despite the results, the Nittany Lions saw a marked improvement in pitching and with it, a reason to remain positive going forward.

When it comes to sports, there is a lesson in every defeat. For Penn State, falling to the Owls twice in one day was difficult to swallow.  Nevertheless the coaches and players understand the importance of learning and growing from each loss and then wiping the slate clean.

"There are a lot of areas that we can improve on," said assistant coach Eric Folmar.  "We just have to get back home, work on things and improve."

The weather at Skip Wilson Field was cold and damp and once again the Nittany Lions were forced to face adversity head on.  After scoring first for the 11^th time this season, Penn State fell behind 2-1 in the bottom half of the third inning.  After the Lions responded the very next frame to tie the game at two, Temple scored a pair of insurance runs to seal the victory.

In game two, the Nittany Lions found themselves behind 2-0 before striking in the sixth and tying the game.  Penn State's pitching staff kept the Owls off the scoreboard the rest of the way, but the offense could scratch a run across. In extra innings, the Owls eventually won in walk-off fashion to sweep the doubleheader.

The offense struggled to find a rhythm in both contests due in part to the poor conditions, as well as effective pitching from Temple.  The Nittany Lions were uncharacteristically swinging at bad pitches and putting themselves in a hole during at bats, all factors the coaches can address and the players can improve upon.

"What we didn't see as much today as we would have liked to see was putting together a chain of quality at bats," said Folmar.  "I think we swung at some balls out of the zone and got ourselves into some bad counts.  Those are the main things we need to work on."

On the other side of the ball, the pitching staff held Temple to under five runs in both games.  Penn State used six different pitchers during the doubleheader that threw a combined 13 scoreless innings.

The Nittany Lions saw the return of junior pitcher Greg Welsh, who missed the first 15 games with an arm injury.  Welsh was a critical component of the team's bullpen in 2012 and threw four and one-third scoreless innings in game two against Temple, allowing just three hits with two strikeouts.

"Greg [Welsh] was a big positive for us today because we got a chance to get him back on the mound," said Folmar.  "He's been a big part of [our bullpen] the last few years, so to get him back is a huge boost to our staff."

Welsh's return will bolster a bullpen featuring both seasoned veterans and talented freshmen.  Freshman Jack Anderson, who has accumulated a 1.12 ERA with two saves over eight innings of relief, continued his lights-out play with a scoreless one and one-third innings pitched.

Though Penn State left with two defeats, the coaches saw a number of positives and will look to improve upon the lessons they took away.

"There were some things that we did well throughout the game," said Folmar.  "There were certain plays, certain pitches, some good at bats that we had, so there were some positives within the game.  As a whole, there are also some things we need to work on, as well."

The Nittany Lions will end their 17-game away stretch at the Pittsburgh on Tuesday before returning to Happy Valley for the home opener against Akron on Wednesday.  The players are eager to play on their home turf in front of the Penn State faithful.

"I think they're really excited," said Folmar on the team playing its first home game.  "Anytime you get a chance to play in front of your home crowd, it's awesome.  I know our guys are looking forward to it."

--NITTANY LIONS--

By Scott Traweek, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After a tough start to the 2013 season, Penn State (5-9) emerged from an eight-game road trip over Spring Break posting some of the best offense the team has seen this year.

Baseball is a game of highs and lows.  Since the season began, Penn State has struggled to establish a rhythm at the plate.  Putting runs on the board early wasn't the problem, as the Nittany Lions have scored first in 10 of their 14 games thus far, but the team was lacking consistency.

It was early in the season and the players had been practicing indoors while balancing a prolonged away schedule that kept them out of their routine.  Nevertheless, Penn State made no excuses and the team continued to focus on the fundamentals day in and day out.  When the Spring Break trip arrived, the opportunity to convert hard work into results arrived with it.

The Nittany Lions found their rhythm on offense midway through the road trip during a pair of setbacks at the University of Houston (13-4).  Penn State battled in both contests, coming from behind after trailing 8-2 in the first game, before falling 14-8, and dropping the second game 15-5 after leading 4-1 in the second inning.

Despite the outcomes, the Nittany Lions remained positive and rebounded with a series win at Houston Baptist (6-9).

"I think baseball is a game with a lot of ups and downs and it's managing the downs that matters most," said sophomore shortstop Taylor Skerpon.  "We had a couple let downs against Houston and I think we did a very good job of rebounding the next weekend."

Prior to game one against the Huskies, the coaches rallied their team and told the players to relax and have fun, which is exactly what the Penn State did.  The offense scored quickly and efficiently as the Nittany Lions plated a combined 27 runs on 44 hits with a collective .372 batting average during the series.

"I think we were just clicking," said senior second baseman Luis Montesinos on the performance.  "We were doing everything we needed to do.  We were bunting, we were executing the hit-and-run; we were doing it all."

In practice, the coaches have been focusing on the fundamentals of small ball on offense, which involves getting runners on base, moving them into scoring position, and closing with timely hits and smart base running.  Execution is crucial and the players need to hit consistently and strategically.

"It's about execution," said assistant coach Eric Folmar.  "The reality is when you're playing small ball, guys have to handle the bat and they have to execute."

Manufacturing runs was the goal and Penn State executed superbly against Houston Baptist.  The Nittany Lions scored at least one run in 13 of the 27 innings during the series.  Four of their 27 total runs were a result of two home runs and 23 were produced through effective base running and timely hitting.

Veterans stepped into the leadership role as Montesinos led the offense with six RBIs, three runs scored, and a .462 batting average and Snyder followed suit with four RBIs, five runs scored, and a .384 clip over the three-game span.

Skerpon, who leads the team in batting average (.370) and is tied for the lead in RBIs (10), continued his impressive performance.  The sophomore went 6-for-12 at the plate with two RBIs and five runs scored.

The most important aspect Penn State can take from the series with Houston Baptist, and their spring trip in general, is confidence.  The Nittany Lions know what the offense is capable of when the team executes.  When the players believe in themselves and each other, that mentality carries into their performance.

"When everyone's hitting, it builds confidence," said Snyder.  "You trust the guy behind you, you trust the guy in front of you and when you trust everyone on the team it's all going to come together."

If a team is productive at the plate, then it builds confidence in the pitching staff, as well.

"When I'm on the mound, there's nothing better than putting up a zero and then having the offense score one or two runs each inning just to give you more confidence," said junior pitcher Greg Welsh.

Playing eight games in ten days was a feat in its own, but it gave the players a chance to play a lot of baseball and gain valuable experience.  The Nittany Lions demonstrated that they could compete on the national stage and came away with a 4-4 record after facing a challenging group of opponents including Stephen F. Austin (8-8), Texas San Antonio (12-5), Nebraska-Omaha (2-7), Houston and Houston Baptist.

"I think these away games showed that we could play with anyone," said Snyder.  "If we play our game both offensively and defensively, we can compete with anyone in the country."

Penn State is back in action on Saturday with a doubleheader at Temple (4-9).  The Nittany Lions will look to ride the momentum gained from Spring Break following a week of light practice, rest and recuperation.  Game one is slated for Noon.

--NITTANY LIONS--

By Scott Traweek, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After a challenging start to the 2013 season, Penn State (1-5) heads to Texas for a Spring Break trip that features a marathon schedule of eight games in ten days.

The road trip will provide the Nittany Lions with an opportunity to recover following two early series defeats at East Tennessee State and Liberty where, despite the results, both coaches and players learned a lot about their team.

They discovered that no matter what the score or the result, these players will fight until the end and then work to learn from defeat.

"One of the biggest things we've learned about the team is that guys are going to continue to battle," said pitching coach Jason Bell.  "Every out, every run you save, every at bat you don't give away is huge at the end of the game when you look back."

That sentiment is the same on the player's side.

"There's a lot of room for improvement," said senior pitcher Steven Hill.  "We see it and that's what we're going to do focus on in practice and in games. We have to continue to improve."

Two key words to describe this Penn State squad are hardworking and dedicated.  Every practice and every game offers the chance to grow and become better baseball players and this group will continue to raise the bar until the victories follow.

"This team really does work hard and it's a matter of time until results start paying off," said Bell.  "The amount of work these guys have put in has been quite a lot."

As a four-year veteran, Hill has learned the importance of focusing on one game at a time and not letting a tough series affect the team's mentality going forward.

"If you let a series dwell on you, it can turn into a losing streak," said Hill.  "You have to look at baseball one game at a time or you're going to let games that you should win get away."

The Nittany Lions will face five teams during the Spring Break road trip with a combined record of 16-11-1.

They will go up against talented hitting from Texas-San Antonio (6-3), which averages nearly nine runs per game with three players in their starting lineup batting over .400 and a team batting average of .356, at the UTSA Collegiate Baseball Classic. That field also includes games vs. Stephen F. Austin (2-4) and the University of Nebraska-Omaha (0-0).

They will battle lights out pitching in two games at the University of Houston (5-2), which features three starting pitchers who have allowed just one earned run over a combined 30 innings. They close out the spring trip with three games at Houston Baptist (3-4).

Regardless of the opponent, the coaches and players are looking forward to the challenges ahead and relish the opportunity to play baseball for a week straight without homework and classes.  The experience the younger players will gain is crucial heading into conference play.

"It's going to be fun," said Bell.  "We're going to play a lot of baseball.  We have eight games in ten days and these guys are going to be put in a lot of situations repeatedly to grow and get experience."

It will be an important trip for Penn State as the players seek to improve upon their consistency and work their way into a rhythm, which will lead to positive results.

"That's why this trip for us is huge because it gives us a chance to get some consistency going and with consistency the execution will come as well," said Bell.

Prolonged away stretches come with a number of hardships and can be devastating to a team early in the season.  Players have their routines disrupted on a daily basis, are constantly traveling, and face hostile crowds at each new venue.  Nevertheless, the opportunity to experience the chaotic atmosphere inherent in playing on the road will prepare them for the Big Ten season, when winning matters most.

"I think what this trip's going to do is it's going to prepare [the players] for conference play," said Bell.  "How they handle being at the University of Houston with their crowd or at Liberty with a large, loud crowd translates to later in the year when we're playing at places like Michigan or Ohio State."

Many players embrace the challenges and are looking forward to the adventure.

"It's fun going on the road," said Hill, "especially going to new places, seeing new ballparks and facing crowds.  It's tough to overcome a hostile crowd because sometimes they get into your head, but the more you see the better you get as the year goes on."

Penn State begins the trip on Friday, March 1 against Stephen F. Austin in the 2013 UTSA Collegiate Baseball Classic.  The game is slated for 3 p.m. Eastern time with senior Dave Walkling on the mound for the Nittany Lions.

--NITTANY LIONS--

By Scott Traweek, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State (1-5) suffered a setback in its second series at Liberty last weekend, falling short in all three contests against the Flames.  Despite the result, the Nittany Lions are looking to build on the positives and learn from the negatives.

Game one saw Penn State take the lead in the first inning as sophomore first baseman J.J. White singled with two outs and runners on first and second to score freshman left fielder James Coates.  The Nittany Lions played to their strengths by using speed and consistency to manufacture a run early.

Senior pitcher Dave Walkling held Liberty at bay, posting an impressive performance and throwing six innings, allowing just one run on three hits with four strikeouts.

Penn State threatened again in the second inning, putting a runner on first and second with two outs, but Coates flied out to centerfield to end the inning.  The Nittany Lions outhit the Flames 9-6 on the afternoon.

Liberty caught fire with one out in the seventh inning when junior Danny Grauer struck out swinging, but reached first on a wild pitch.  A single moved him to second and a walk loaded the bases for senior Trey Wimmer, batting .500 on the year, who singled tp plate a pair of RBIs.  The Flames would score three in the inning, which sealed the 4-1 victory despite a ninth-inning rally by the Nittany Lions.

Penn State's struggles continued on Sunday as Liberty, who defeated fifth-ranked South Carolina last weekend, scored 12 runs in the second game of the series, seven in the seventh inning alone, and put the game out of reach for an offense that was having a hard time finding a consistent rhythm.

Following the loss, the Nittany Lions had to regroup in under an hour for the second game of the double header.  Confidence shaken, Penn State fell behind 3-0 early in the third game of the series and was unable to recover.

It was a forgettable series for the coaches and players who were just beginning an 18-game road stretch that won't get any easier.  The key for the Nittany Lions will be to remain calm and focus on one game at a time.

Despite struggling early, Penn State is a young team.  The coaches and players are searching for an identity on offense and are trying to solidify a pitching staff that will compete when Big Ten play arrives.

The Nittany Lions have already seen veterans set the tone both offensively and defensively.  Senior Matt Paradise has started three games at third base with a flawless fielding percentage and a .333 batting average.  Walkling leads the pitching staff in innings pitched (12.0) and leads the starting rotation in ERA at 3.00.

Young talent has emerged as a number of players battle for starting spots.  Sophomore Taylor Skerpon leads the team in batting average at .357 followed by Coates, who has started in all six games thus far, with a .350 clip.  Sophomore J.C. Coban leads the team with five RBIs, bolstered by a homerun and a .292 batting average.

On the mound, freshman Jack Anderson has thrown three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit.  Sophomore transfer Ryan Harper has pitched in five and one-third innings and boasts a 3.38 ERA.

Penn State has faced adversity before and every challenge and obstacle offers an opportunity to learn and grow.  As the season progresses, the pieces will fall into place, because the talent is there and it's very early in the 56-game schedule. 

With the approach of an eight-game spring break trip to Texas, the Nittany Lions look to gather momentum before returning north for the start of the home season followed by the Big Ten season.

-NITTANY LIONS-

By Scott Traweek, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - James Coates had dreamed of becoming a Nittany Lion his entire life.

"I grew up a Penn State fan," said Coates.  "Everything I've known my entire life has been Penn State, so I've always dreamt of being a Penn State student-athlete."

Now, as a freshman in Happy Valley, Coates has secured a starting spot in left field for the baseball team after a standout performance against East Tennessee State University last weekend.

When he was young, the Girard, Ohio, native wasn't sure which sport would be his calling as a Nittany Lion.  Coates played football and baseball at John F. Kennedy high school, but gave up football his senior year after he decided baseball was the path he wanted to take.

The moment Coates was contacted about joining the baseball team at Penn State, he affirmed without a second thought. Coates was born and raised cheering for the Nittany Lions.  His father, Jim Coates, was a former punt/kick returner and wide receiver for Penn State in the mid-1980s.

Coates worked tirelessly throughout the offseason, preparing for the day when he would take the field and represent the Blue and White.  In the season opening series against East Tennessee State, Coates was the only freshman in the starting lineup, starting all three games.

The freshman phenom stood out immediately, going 5-for-10 with two RBIs, two stolen bases and two runs scored in the three game series.  Having inherited the speed from his father, Coates showed that he would be a weapon both on offense and in the outfield.

"He was acting like he's been there and done it, acting like an upperclassman," said head coach Robbie Wine.  "Every at bat was a good at bat, his base running was good and everything was under control.  It was very impressive."

The transition to college baseball can be difficult as players face a bigger stage with more distractions.  The game itself speeds up and fundamentals become crucial. That moment when a freshman steps onto the field for the first time in a game situation can be nerve-wracking. 

Coach Wine understands that experience and knows how to coach his players to be ready for it.

"Everyone gets nervous," said Wine.  "All you can do is acknowledge your nerves, take a deep breath, relax and get ready."

Naturally, Coates was nervous when his moment arrived, but he took coach Wine's advice to heart, settled in, and played the game he's lived and breathed for years.

"It's your first college game, first college experience, so it's exciting and it's a lot to take in and you get nervous," said Coates.  "I learned to trust what I've learned this offseason: just play my game and be myself."

The coaches at Penn State have been instrumental in preparing Coates for game day.  They honed his fundamentals so that when game time arrived, every play would be automatic and errors would be virtually nonexistent.

"[The coaches] really covered aspects of the game that I've never been taught before," said Coates.  "They've made me a better baseball player in many aspects."

Coates joins a team that has embraced him into their culture.  The Nittany Lions have developed a staunch work ethic, while allowing themselves the opportunity to enjoy the game of baseball.  The atmosphere has allowed Coates and the rest of the freshmen class to relax and play their game knowing that their teammates will support them through the best days and the worst.

"Right from the start I knew that this team was a great group of guys," said Coates.  "There is a great balance on this team between having fun, being relaxed, yet being serious and winning games."

The fit was right from the very beginning.  Coates knew he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and play for Penn State and he has already established himself as a Nittany Lion at heart and is on his way to doing it on the diamond.

"I knew that I would get a better education and be at a better program with a great group of guys, great coaches and great facilities," said Coates.  "It's always been my dream and so far it's been a dream come true.  I love everything about it."

--NITTANY LIONS--