Imagine a baseball team losing this much production in one offseason: 267 hits, 177 RBI, and a combined average of .378.

No, we're not talking about the Seattle Mariners and Alex Rodriguez.

The Penn State baseball team will head into this season without offensive dynamos Eric Spadt, Shawn Fagan and 2000 Big Ten Player of the Year and first-team All American Michael Campo.

"In some categories we lost about 50 percent of our offensive production," Penn State baseball coach Joe Hindelang said. "We're always asking upperclassmen to shoulder the responsibility to lead us."

But all is not lost and there's no reason to be unhappy in Happy Valley. Rotary Smith preseason nominee Chris Wright leads a lineup which is thick in the middle. The Nittany Lions will rely on the heart of the order to drive in most of their runs, but Hindelang is hopeful that the younger players will show that they are capable of hitting at this level.

"We're looking for the returning position players to step up and improve their numbers and for youngsters waiting in the wings to get their opportunity to play," Hindelang said.

Wright, a junior, will man the hot corner after seeing time at first, shortstop and outfield last season. He is generally considered one of the most versatile players on the team and is the top returning hitter. He posted a .382 average last year, with 58 RBI and nine home runs. He also stroked 23 doubles and earned first-team All-Big Ten distinctions.

"Chris is such a versatile guy, such a reliable guy," Hindelang said. "We know he's going to come through when and where we need him to."

Wright knows he needs to step into a leadership position this year and come up with some clutch hits.

"I've worked hard this summer," Wright said. "It should carry over. I know I'll have to carry some of the load after losing the seniors."

Across the diamond, Donnie Wright (no relation to Chris) will step in as the everyday first baseman. He saw much of his action last year at designated hitter. Early indications are that Wright will bat cleanup.

"Donnie is a very solid player for us," Hindelang said. "We're really impressed with his defense and he's going to do a lot with the bat."

Hindelang also said that Donnie Wright, a senior, has taken control of the infield and has helped the group to gel.

The middle infield consists of veteran John Richmond, who will move from shortstop to second base, and sophomore Willie Melendez, who will get his shot to prove his worth as a starter.

Richmond has been the Lions' second batter for the past two seasons and will probably remain in that position, as he is known for his clutch hitting. His defense is solid, and since he has played two full seasons at shortstop, the coaches will look to him to ease Melendez through his growing pains.

The coaching staff is excited about Melendez's potential in the field, but he will clearly need some time to develop. He committed eight errors in 78 chances last season.

"We believe he is ready to play on a full-time basis," Hindelang said.

Redshirt freshman Adam Warchal and sophomore Mike DeRenzo should also see significant playing time in the infield.

The situation in the outfield is less clear-cut. Sophomore Zack Smithlin returns in center field, where he made 60 starts last year. He is a versatile hitter who will be moved throughout the batting order as well as provide the Lions with speed on the base paths. Smithlin swiped 15 bags last year in 19 attempts.

Doug Rodio, Rod Perry, George Everly, Mike Hurey and Wes Reohr will compete for the other two outfield spots.

Rodio sat out last year after transferring from George Mason, where he hit .333 as a freshman. At 6-foot-4 and 219 pounds, Rodio is an intimidating presence at the plate and hit out of the No. 5 spot in the order last weekend, where he will likely remain. Perry, a junior, played in late game situations during USC's 1998 title run. He opened the season as Penn State's leadoff hitter.

Everly, a sophomore, saw action in 28 games last season while his classmate Hurey played in 27. Reohr is a transfer from Millersville.

"All of those guys are going to get a look," Hindelang said. "If one gets hot with the bat we'll stick with him. We like having so much depth."

Coming off their first Super Regional birth ever, the Lions expect nothing less than a return visit. They were one of only 16 teams left playing and were just two wins away from making it to Omaha and the College World Series.

"We expect to go back to Super Regionals," senior pitcher Dan McCall said. "First, we want to win the Big Ten outright, host the tournament and win that."

Fifty percent of the offensive production may be gone, but it is evident that the Lions are not short on confidence.

"We don't think there is any reason we can't beat the teams we're playing. We think we're the best in the Big Ten and certainly one of the top teams in the country," senior pitcher Pete Yodis said.