The concept of playing baseball outdoors may seem a little strange to members of the Penn State baseball team these days.

But after being cooped up in Holuba Hall during practices this winter, the Nittany Lions are ready to open the 2001 season, and will take the field at Gene Hooks Stadium tomorrow against the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest for the first of two games this weekend.

Tomorrow's first pitch is slated for 1 p.m., and the two teams will square off again Sunday at 12:30.

Penn State set the school record for most wins in a season last spring, going 45-19 and advancing to its first-ever Super Regional. Wake Forest enjoyed similar success.

Under the direction of long-time coach George Greer, who needs just 23 wins to reach 600 for his career, the Deacs were 41-20-1 last season and advanced to the regional finals. Both teams have been named to Collegiate Baseball's Preseason Fabulous 40.

The Lions are facing Wake for the first time in 33 years and are making their first-ever trip to Winston-Salem. Penn State baseball coach Joe Hindelang relishes the challenge of opening the season against a quality program.

"Wake is part of the highly touted ACC, and they've always been a top-tier finisher getting into regionals," Hindelang said. "They will be a formidable opponent for us."

Scheduled to take the mound for the Lions tomorrow is senior right-hander Pete Yodis, while freshman righty Kyle Sleeth will start for the Deacons. Yodis was 7-4 last year with a 3.69 earned-run average and led the team with 114.2 innings pitched.

Sunday's starters will be junior right-hander Justin Nash (5-3, 4.91) for Penn State and sophomore Ryan Braun (3-3, 3.76) for Wake Forest. Although his team went 20-6-1 at home last year, Greer downplayed the apparent advantage.

"It doesn't make much difference where we play if the weather is nice," Greer said. "And it has been."

The Deacons, who open their season tonight at home against James Madison, are just glad to be getting back into more serious competition than intrasquad scrimmages.

"Folks are ready to see someone else throw and bat," Greer said.

While Wake has been able to practice outside, the Lions haven't had such a luxury during what has been a typical State College winter, and hope it doesn't show too badly this weekend.

"Usually teams from the north who go down to the south to play early on in the season don't fare too well," Penn State sophomore centerfielder Zach Smithlin said. "We've gotten some solid work in during the offseason though."

Hindelang cited a few key differences, such as the switch from turf shoes to metal spikes, and the depth perception that differs from indoor to outdoor facilities, but feels his troops are prepared.

"We are as ready as we can be without being able to set foot outside," he said.

When the 2001 Rotary Smith Award Watch List was announced last week, it included four Lions and four Demon Deacons. Yodis, junior Chris Wright, and seniors Dan McCall and Chris Netwall were nominated for Penn State, while junior Dave Bush and seniors Scott Sieman, Cory Sullivan and Corey Slavik were named for Wake. The Rotary Smith Award goes to college baseball's top player each year.