Sluggers search for relief going into doubleheader

Almost midway through the baseball season, openings for relief pitchers on Penn State's pitching staff remain available.

After 21 games no one has moved forward to assert himself as a dependable reliever. The lack of a solid bullpen is a major reason why the Nittany Lions (10-11, 2-2 Big Ten) have struggled to get over the .500 mark.

Penn State's bullpen will get a chance to redeem and assert itself at 1 p.m. today when the Lions open up a doubleheader in Lewisburg with Bucknell.

Never was Penn State's lack of an efficient bullpen more evident than in Sunday's 23-17 loss to Indiana. In that game the Lions took a comfortable 14-6 lead into the sixth and quickly watched it turn into six-run deficit after surrendering 14 runs in the bottom half of the inning. Three Penn State relievers, Andy Wager, Jeff Kunkle and Eamonn Neary, were brought in to stop the bleeding in the sixth but not one was able to record a single out before getting yanked from the game.

In addition to not retiring any hitters, the trio of relievers combined for 12 runs, 10 hits and two walks allowed. Freshman Scott Russo finally finished the Hoosiers off in the sixth, but surrendered three runs in a little more than two innings of work.

"(Wager, Kunkle and Neary) couldn't get anyone out. That shouldn't happen," Penn State coach Joe Hindelang said. "After our first four pitchers we've got nothing. We don't have a fifth or sixth pitcher we can count on right now. Someone has to step up and fill that void."

Against Bucknell Greg Arnold and Jason McIntyre will get the opportunity to prove they can be that fifth or sixth pitcher and help Penn State put Sunday's bombing behind it when they get the starting nod in each game. Both pitchers have struggled, teaming up for 19 hits and 15 runs allowed in eight innings of work.

"(Today's game) will be interesting to see how we respond to Sunday's loss," Lion third baseman Shawn Fagan said. "It will give some of the pitchers a chance to step up and get some innings."

The Bison (13-9) could give Penn State's pitching staff a stern test. They average six runs per game and feature a lineup with three players batting over .300.

Dave Apollon leads the Bucknell attack. The senior second baseman is hitting .403 with a team-best four homeruns and 25 runs batted in. Apollon has also cranked out six doubles and four triples, upping his slugging percentage to .740.

"Bucknell will be loaded for bear," Hindelang said. "This is one of their big games."

Although the Bison possess a dangerous offense, Penn State's may be more potent. The Lions scored 39 runs and belted 12 homeruns in last weekend's four-game series with Indiana. After chewing up Indiana's pitching staff, Penn State increased its team batting average to .305.

Fagan has ignited the Lions' offensive surge. The sophomore has smacked 24 hits in his last 44 appearances at the plate and has increased his average to a team-leading .507.

Despite Sunday's debacle at Indiana, Fagan said he is confident Penn State will turn things around against Bucknell.

"We're improving defensively and we're getting some hits when we need them," he said. "We have a lot of guys who can make the big plays in clutch situations."