Senior pitcher Gary Miller winds, delivers and catches LaSalle leadoff hitter Martin Lewin looking for strike three. Dan Karbach fares no better against Penn State's ace, and becomes strikeout victim number two. Miller then makes it a perfect first inning by blowing away Explorer Dave Mastropietro.

Yes, there actually is baseball being played out there. And the college version of the game may become more appreciated this spring as there is currently no major league action to satisfy fans of American's favorite pastime.

The baseball team, having returned from its "spring training" trip to Florida, got its home schedule underway yesterday with a doubleheader sweep of LaSalle.

With most of their pitchers back, a strong offense and new leadoff-man O.J. McDuffie, the Lions figure to be at least as good as last season's 23-19-1 team.

"We're better, I think, than last year," senior infielder Mike Killough said. "We have the same pitchers back. We're losing a couple power hitters, but we gained a couple."

The Lions (5-4) have been a good offensive team so far this season. Centerfielder McDuffie hit .400 with 12 runs batted in on the trip Florida. In addition, McDuffie has hit in all nine games for the Lions this season.

Also doing well on the trip were designated hitter Jeff Kavelak (.417, 10 RBI), third baseman Russ Mushinsky (.423, eight), infielder Chris Futrick (.368, seven) and Killough (.333, eight).

"We hit the ball well early down South," Coach Shorty Stoner said. "But we're hurting now with some injuries."

First baseman John Schreiner began the trip with a torrid bat, hitting .600 with a home run and three RBI, but an injury has him sidelined right now and sophomore Craig McRoberts has taken over at first.

Schreiner is the Lions' top returning player. Last year he hit .385 with six home runs and 30 RBI, so his presence in the lineup is certain to be a key to Penn State's success.

Catcher/outfielder Travis Crayosky also figures to add power the Lions' lineup in 1990. Crayosky, a freshman from Newtown, Pa., hit his first collegiate home run in the seventh inning of the first game against LaSalle yesterday to cap Penn State's come-from-behind 7-5 victory.

The Lions' pitching staff is less solid. Most of the staff was bashed by the opposition during the Florida trip, as only three pitchers came home with earned run averages below 6.00.

When all is said and done, however, Penn State should have an above-average staff. The starters are led by seniors Miller and Greg Young, each of whom did good jobs yesterday against the Explorers.

"Our pitching is a little shaky," Stoner said. "If the pitching settles down, I think we're going to be all right."

"Our pitching's starting to come around now," Killough said. "A couple more games under their belt and they'll be fine."

Miller pitched 41/3 innings in the first game, allowing four hits and two earned runs, while walking six and striking out seven. Miller was the ace of the staff last season, posting a 5-2 record and a 2.14 earned run average.

In the second game yesterday, Young shut out LaSalle on four hits, issuing three walks and striking out seven.

The staff also features sophomore reliever Mike McRoberts, who got the victory in the first game yesterday by shutting down the Explorers in the final 2 2/3 innings.

"Mike McRoberts came on and did a heck of a job for us," Stoner said.