ANN ARBOR, Mich. (May 20, 2004) The Penn State baseball team has already clinched a spot in the Big Ten Tournament, but it will be playing for a higher seed when the Nittany Lions close out the regular season this weekend at Michigan.

Penn State is currently 27-24 overall and 16-12 in the Big Ten, which puts them in a fourth place tie with the Wolverines. Michigan is 29-23 overall and 16-12 in the conference.

The Nittany Lions can finish anywhere from second to sixth place during Friday, Saturday and Sunday¡¯s four games at Ray Fisher Stadium.

The Big Ten Tournament will be played May 26-30 at the home of the regular season champion, which could be Minnesota, Ohio State or Michigan State.

Sophomore Sean Stidfole (New Bloomfield, Pa.) has been given the nod to start Friday¡¯s 3 p.m. contest. Senior Jim Farrell (Harleysville, Pa.) and senior Aaron Tressler (Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa.) will start Games 1 and 2 of Saturday¡¯s 1 p.m. doubleheader, respectively. Sunday¡¯s 1 p.m. starter has yet to be determined.

Senior Clayton Hamilton (Beaver Falls, Pa.) did not make the trip with Penn State because of a foot injury. Senior Jared Hopewell (Watsontown, Pa.), junior Josh Palm (Conneaut Lake, Pa.), sophomore Alan Stidfole (New Bloomfield, Pa.) and freshman Craig Clark (Phoenixville, Pa.) have all started games this season and could be available for Sunday¡¯s start.

For more information on Penn State baseball, please visit the official athletic website at www.GoPSUsports.com.