After faltering last weekend, sluggers hope to pick up wins

Penn State baseball coach Joe Hindelang considered last weekend's games against Virginia and North Carolina-Wilmington tests.

Going 0-2 -- a 12-4 spanking by the Cavaliers and an 8-5 loss to the Seahawks after blowing a lead -- could have warranted the Nittany Lions a big, fat F on their exam. But this weekend, the Lions get a make-up test when they travel to Norfolk, Va., for a three-game set against Norfolk State, starting at 1 p.m. tomorrow.

Norfolk State doesn't attain Division I status until August, but it gets the talent and coaching of a typical Division I school. Last season, the Lions lost to and tied Norfolk State in two games.

"They don't quit," Lion ace hurler Nate Bump said. "They don't give up. They are a tough team to play against because of that."

The Lions showed typical signs of pre-test anxiety during the weekend. Bump didn't feel comfortable with his location, and Lion batters were as cold as the weather in State College. Of Penn State's 69 plate appearances, the Lions struck out 26 times.

It may not have been cold in Wilmington, N.C., but it could have been awfully breezy.

Not only did Penn State batters fan often, but they also failed to bring home runners with less than two outs. This weekend, the Lions will need to rectify that problem if they want to pass the make-up exam.

"We had too many strikeouts," Hindelang said. "We need to put the ball in play with two strikes. We need more RBIs with less than two outs and runners in scoring position."

Bump, who suffered one of his worst outings in a long time, felt sick this week and didn't practice on Wednesday. After having control trouble against Virginia, Bump worked on his location.

"I was mainly just trying to spot the ball and get my control back," he said. "I feel confident."

Notes:

n  Lion pitcher Matt Weimer took a line drive off his fingernail in the third inning against UNC-Wilmington and was forced to leave the game. He is questionable for the weekend.

n  Despite the warm weather, snow remains on the Beaver Field, and the Lions will continue to practice indoors. Lion left fielder Jeremy Deitrick, who hit his first home run of the season against the Seahawks, said playing outdoors last weekend helped them prepare for this weekend.

"Actually, I think it will be a lot easier,' " he said. "We have seen the ball on grass instead of turf."