Sluggers begin season against UNC-Charlotte

Tomorrow at noon the Penn State baseball team will open its season at UNC-Charlotte (3-0) in a doubleheader against the 49ers, followed by a single game on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The three-game series with UNC-Charlotte is the first of 27 consecutive road games to start the 1998 season for the Nittany Lions. It also marks the first time the two teams have ever faced each other.

Led by its three senior tri-captains, Chris Romig, Adam Beers and Nate Bump, Penn State is raring to go.

"It'll be good. Everybody is looking forward to starting games," Romig, a right-handed pitcher, said. "It has been a long winter. It's been a productive winter in terms of practice. I think team morale is up. We're chomping at the bit, and it's going to be nice to go out and get some sun."

Sun is something the Lions haven't seen much of -- especially when it comes to honing their baseball skills.

Coach Joe Hindelang has been unable to get his team outside due to the relatively cold State College weather. Even with the recent warm spell that hit the area earlier this week, Beaver Field is still covered with snow.

"I think there certainly is a disadvantage," right-hander Nate Bump said of not practicing outside. "(UNC-Charlotte) might have a week or two ahead of us, but I don't think we look at that when we go into the game and step foot on the field. I don't see us as underdogs in any way."

-- By Todd J. Engel