Pair of aces

Lions' Bump, Spartans' Mulder to duel in sluggers' series

Michigan State baseball coach Ted Mahan is praying for a low-scoring affair this afternoon.

His Spartans (10-11, 1-3 Big Ten) will take on Penn State (11-12, 2-2) at 3 p.m. today at Beaver Field in the first of four games this weekend. The two teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. tomorrow and conclude the series with a 1 p.m. game on Sunday.

"We have good pitching depth on the mound," Mahan said. "We need the game to be low scoring. We're not an explosive offensive team."

This afternoon's game marks the first home outing for the Nittany Lions this season.

"A great thing will be to play at home," Penn State coach Joe Hindelang said. "We played the first half of the season on the road. It's crazy. That's what you have to do with the weather in the Northeast. Over the years we've played tremendously well at home. The kids will be pumped up."

Today's game will have added meaning as it features one of the best pitching matchups in the country.

Hindelang will send his ace, senior Nate Bump, to the mound to duel with the Spartan's best hurler, Mark Mulder.

"I guess it should be a good one," Mahan said. "I know Nate is outstanding. Gosh, we're looking forward to it."

Bump, a 23rd-round draft pick of the Boston Red Sox last year, opted to return for his final season and has increased his stock for this year's draft dramatically, possibly to the top-five rounds.

It has been speculated that Mulder, a junior, may be the No. 1 overall pick in June. The Philadelphia Phillies, who have first overall pick, will be among the many scouts in attendance today.

Bump isn't very concerned with the pitching matchup, but is instead concentrating on improving his 1.93 ERA and 60 strikeouts over 46.2 innings of work.

"It's kind of exciting," Bump said. "It's really me going against their hitters. And the same for him. I'm not worried about what each other are doing on the mound."

Mulder, a 6-foot-6, 200-pound southpaw, is 2-2 on the season with a 2.79 ERA. He also leads the team in batting. His .375 average tops the team and his 12 RBIs are second. Mulder plays first base when he is not mowing down opposing batters, but Mahan said he could pretty much play anywhere.

"He's one of our best hitters," Mahan said. "Heck, we even had him in the outfield for a game."

Low scoring or not, the Spartans and Lions should enjoy today's game because pitching matchups like this don't come around too often.