Cabin blues to end for lady sluggers


Friday, Feb. 20, 1998	Cabin blues to end for lady sluggers By BRIAN COSTELLO Collegian Sports Writer The Penn State softball team finally will get a cure for its cabin fever today when it takes the field in College Station, Texas, for its game against New Mexico State at noon. Up to this point, all of the Lady Lions' activity has been indoors. And somehow, fielding a grounder off of freshly packed dirt feels a lot better than snagging one off of the carpet of Holuba Hall.
`Penn State Softball page`	"I think we're very excited to get outside," said senior third baseman and co-captain Jen McIntyre. "We've had a good preseason and good practices." Now the Lions will get to see how good. They will take on three teams twice over the course of three days at the tournament being hosted by Texas A&M (7-1). The fourth team competing will be Texas-San Antonio. The Lions face the Roadrunners at 2:15 p.m. today and 2:15 p.m. tomorrow. Penn State's games against the Aggies are at noon tomorrow and 11:15 a.m. Sunday. Its final game against New Mexico State (5-8) is at 9 a.m. Sunday.
Lion pitcher Jaci Kalp fires a strike during a game last season. This weekend, Kalp and the rest of the Lions travel to Texas to play in a tournament hosted by Texas A&M. (Collegian Photo/Shawn Knapp - click for full size image)	For Penn State this is its first regular season competition. The Lions had a scrimmage last weekend against Robert Morris but have not traveled outdoors for competition until today. After the scrimmage last weekend, Penn State's main problem became evident to coach Robin Petrini -- hitting. She said the Lions have worked on it this week and she expects a better outing this weekend. Petrini said she isn't placing too many expectations on the team in its first outing, though, she just wants to see where it is at. "I don't know if I have any expectations," Petrini said. "We just need to get on some dirt and have the pitchers throw outside." Petrini said at this point wins and losses aren't her main concerns but getting her team outside and figuring out who will play where are her highest priorities. Right now, Petrini said, not many positions are settled. Penn State has seven freshmen on its roster, most of whom will be contending for playing time. Some things haven't changed in the Lions' lineup from last season, though. Shannon Salsburg, a senior co-captain, will be the starting first baseman. Salsburg led the team last season with seven home runs and 30 RBIs. She will be joined in the infield by Terra Pracht and Brandi Conti at shortstop and McIntyre at third base. At second base will be either Shannon Angel, Allison Medellin or Laura Snee. Behind the plate will either be Andrea Shebest, Colleen Kersey or Medellin. The Lions will field a platoon of outfielders consisting of Tanis Ambelang, Brandy Bochna, Jenny Briz, Karen Gulini, Randi Larson, Katie Morrison, co-captain Karolyn Peterson, Jodie Ricciardi and Carri Roan. On the mound for Penn State will be Ambelang, Jennifer Hippo, Jaci Kalp, Kelly McCann and Anje Schwab.