It may be hard to believe, but at some point the 10 inches of snow that is perpetually on the ground will melt, the air will become warm and Penn State will once again be able to host a baseball game.

But that time is not now and it doesn't look to be coming any time soon.

Playing baseball in February means going south, which is what the Penn State baseball team will be doing for the next six weeks.

It starts tomorrow when the Nittany Lions open up the 2004 season with a pair of games against Virginia (3-0) in Charlottesville, where the temperature is expected to be somewhere in the balmy mid-50's.

The Lions will be playing their first game since last May, when a 13-3 loss to Ohio State at the Big Ten tournament ended their season.

Seniors Jim Farrell and Clayton Hamilton are expected to start on the mound tomorrow and Sunday, respectively.

The duo has been through some long seasons of adversity and the two pitchers, along with the rest of the starting staff, should add some tempered steel to a young team.

"We have four seniors on our staff," Penn State baseball assistant coach Randy Ford said. "It's nice to have that kind of leadership in our rotation."

For Farrell, starting the season opener represents a just reward after countless hours of hard work, moving from bullpen staple to No. 1 starter.

"Last year, I capitalized on my opportunities," Farrell said. "I didn't give them any reason to put me back in the bullpen."

As a junior last season, Farrell pitched 70 innings and made seven starts. He tallied a 7-3 record, recording 60 strikeouts and walking just 26. Farrell was downright dominating at times and finished with a 3.47 ERA.

A number of new Lions will be making their debuts tomorrow. Redshirt freshmen Travis Laird in centerfield, Jim Leitgeb at second, and sophomore Joe Gummo at third will all step into the limelight tomorrow afternoon.

Regular outfielder and senior Brett Showalter is injured to the point that he can't play in the field, but he will be still be in the lineup as the designated hitter.

-- By Chris Rajotte