The baseball team will once again stray from their friendly home, this time to face Navy in a doubleheader today in Annapolis, Md.

The Lions (8-5) are currently in the midst of a long and strenuous portion of their schedule, playing 10 of their 12 games on the road. However, this does not seem to bother many of the players.

"I enjoy playing on the road," said centerfielder O.J. McDuffie, although he will not make this trip. "It is not much different than playing at home. We have fans everywhere."

Fans or no fans, the Lions will not suffer in the least if they continue their hot hitting and spectacular pitching. First baseman John Schreiner returned last weekend after an injury and immediately added some punch to the lineup by belting his second home run of the season. This should greatly aid designated hitter Jeff Kavelak (four HR), who has provided much of the pop in the Lions' lineup thus far.

"There are some good hitters on this team," McDuffie said. "The coach didn't expect everyone to hit so well so early in the season."

After struggling at the start of the season, the pitching staff has recently been on a roll. Gary Miller and Greg Young, the staff aces, have been quite stingy as of late and expect to get the starts today.

Miller returned to his 1989 dominance against C.W. Post over the weekend, while Young hopes to continue lowering his ERA. Young has allowed just one run in his last two games, spanning 14 innings.

Equally impressive has been the Lions' relief pitching. Chris Church (2-0) and Mike McRoberts (2-1) have consistently protected Penn State leads. Penn State pitchers have allowed just six runs in the eighth and ninth innings of their 13 games thus far.

A key factor in today's game might be Penn State's baserunning.

"Our baserunning has been real good so far this season," assistant coach Randy Ford said.

Scott Biesecker and Mike Killough, two of the Lions top base stealers this season, should provide a baserunning threat in McDuffie's absence. McDuffie's consecutive hitting streak will be put on hold until Thursday's game against Temple.