Penn State baseball coach Joe Hindelang didn't show the least bit of concern on his face when he said he would be starting three freshmen on his infield last week.
In Saturday's double header at Richmond they showed why. Shortstop Mike Milliron moved over from third base to fill a spot where the Nittany Lions had been struggling defensively and performed just as Hindelang expected, committing no errors in eight chances. Third baseman Arin Gelletly was also perfect in his seven defensive chances.
"Milliron played very well," Hindelang said. "He made all the routine plays, and he also made a couple outstanding plays. Gelletly also did a solid job defensively, and he made an outstanding job of getting to a couple drag bunts and making plays on those. They both gave us what we needed."
Freshman first baseman Clint Eury continued what has been a perfect defensive season, and also impressed Hindelang at the plate. He was 3-for-4 in the first game with a double, an RBI and a run scored, and 1-for-5 in the second game.
"He hit the ball exceptionally well," Hindelang said. "Even the times he got out, he it the ball hard. He hit a few screaming liners that still turned into outs."
Dynamic Duo
The Lions have more than just one strong rookie arm in the pitching staff. Freshman reliever Tyler Wingerd has had two solid performances in relief of freshman starter Josh Palm.
Wingerd assured Palm his first collegiate win by pitching 2.2 scoreless innings for his first save as a Nittany Lion against Richmond in the second game Saturday. He also got the victory in the Lion's 5-4 win over Stetson March 8, getting the decision after Palm left after seven innings with the score tied. Thus far this season, he has posted a team-best 3.60 ERA in five appearances.
Pitching coach Randy Ford is thrilled with the early performances of both of his rookie right-handers.
"They're both really cool customers on the mound," Ford said. "Their poise and moxie makes them look like veterans."
Hook not healed
Junior center fielder Zack Smithlin will have to wait a bit longer to get back in the lineup than he expected. Smithlin was wearing a device that sent electrical impulses to heal the broken hook of the hammate bone in his right (throwing) hand. It was taken off this week, but doctors found that the bone had not healed as well as he had hoped.
He will likely wear the cast for two more weeks, and hopes to be back in the lineup when Minnesota visits Beaver Field for a four-game series April 12-14. Smithlin has not played since an MRI found the fracture days after the Lions' opening series at Norfolk State Feb. 16-17.
"I was excited to get that off," Smithlin said. "But I wasn't surprised to hear that it hadn't healed yet because it still hurt. I knew that having it heal in four weeks was only the best-case scenario.
It felt good to see us win some games and to see (backup center fielder) Wes (Reohr) doing well, but I can't wait to get back in the lineup."
New park named
Penn State's Board of Trustees voted to name the Lions' future baseball stadium Lubrano Park after the alumnus who donated $2.5 million toward the project, which is expected to cost $5 million. The field itself will be named Medlar Field in memory of former Penn State baseball coach Charles "Chuck" Medlar. Medlar posted a record of 312-141 while serving as coach from 1963-1981. The timetable for the new stadium, which will be built in the same space as Beaver Field, will be determined when more funds are attained.
