Sluggers aim high as Big Ten season opens


Friday, March 27, 1998	Sluggers aim high as Big Ten season opens By CHRIS MASSE Collegian Sports Writer
`Penn State Baseball Home Page`	Last year's Nittany Lion baseball team had high expectations heading into the Big Ten season. After winning the conference crown the year before, Penn State expected to take its game to a new level. Unfortunately for the Lions, an 0-4 start in the Big Ten kicked off a disappointing season in which they garnered a sixth-place finish.
Lion pitcher Nate Bump winds and delivers. The conference season got off to an inauspicious start last year, but the team is optimistic as the new Big Ten season begins this weekend with a series against Indiana. (Collegian Photo/Andrea Elizabeth Kohler - click for full size image)	At 3 p.m. today Penn State (8-9) will try to forget about last year and set the tone for another run at the Big Ten title when it opens up its conference schedule in Bloomington, Ind., with a four-game series against Indiana. "The season in the Big Ten comes down to seven weeks, and this is the first conference weekend so this series takes on a new level of importance," Lion coach Joe Hindelang said. "Indiana is always a good team. Last year was the first year we took three out of four from them." The Hoosiers (14-10) come into the game on a tear, having won six of their last seven games. During that span Indiana has outscored its opponents 77-20. Its only setback came last week in an 8-4 loss to Oklahoma State. "We're a young team but we're getting better," Indiana coach Bob Morgan said. "Our strength is being solid in all areas." Brandt Childs leads a potent Hoosier offensive attack. The hard-hitting catcher has racked up a .392 batting average in addition to belting five home runs and driving in 25 runs. Childs is complemented in the lineup by five players who carry an average higher than .300.
Nittany Lion first baseman Carl Albrecht misses the tag in a game last season. Penn State begins their conference season when it heads to Indiana this weekend. (Collegian File Photo - click for full size image)	Trying to quiet the Hoosier bats for Penn State will be pitchers Nate Bump, Dan Goebeler, Pete Yodis and Dan McCall. The starting rotation began to hit its stride two weeks ago helping the Lions capture the Rollins Baseball Week Tournament. Bump and Yodis were especially impressive, allowing only one run and scattering eight hits over a combined 18 innings. "I felt good," Yodis said. "I just want to make a contribution and be a part of the action." Penn State's hitting also picked up during the Rollins Tournament. The Lions put 70 runs on the board and slammed six home runs on their way to the championship. Third baseman Shawn Fagan turned the tournament into his own personal showcase, smacking 14 hits and three home runs to up his team-leading average to .490.
`Bump given award for early-season success`	Despite his team's improvement on the mound and at the plate Hindelang said the Lions must improve their defense to be successful against Indiana. Penn State has committed 12 errors in its last five games and has not played a mistake-free game since beating Rollins 9-3 almost three weeks ago. "We need to do a better job defensively. The defense must be a constant and we haven't gotten that over 17 games," Hindelang said. "We're capable of becoming a good defensive team. That's what I would like to see this weekend."