It's an experience comparable to studying abroad, with lessons learned in new places. This past weekend, Penn State baseball saw its first study session held in New Orleans, La., where geography became the main focus.

The Nittany Lions (0-3) hold firmly to the goal of a Big Ten Championship, which ensures an automatic berth into the College World Series. The team faced the No. 10 Green Wave of Tulane (6-1) over the weekend, where it was shown why the top programs reside in the South.

Tulane swept the three-game series at Zephyr Field by outscoring Penn State, 30-7, including a 12-0 shellacking Saturday afternoon, just one day after the Lions out hit the Wave, 13-9.

Tulane's dominance did not stem from clutch hitting. Instead, giving up free bases served as Penn State's demise, particularly in the first inning of each game.

The first and final games of the series, both Penn State starters plunked Tulane leadoff man Nathan Southard. In the middle contest, he walked, as did three of the other first five hitters in the Green Wave lineup

Giving up those free bases enabled Tulane to capture the lead before a Penn State pitcher recorded three outs, putting the offense into a sizeable hole against one of the top pitching staffs in the country.

"You can't do that and compete against [a team] of Tulane's caliber," Penn State baseball coach Robbie Wine said. "I'd much rather them get three, four, five hits in a row, than walk a guy, walk a guy, walk a guy, then a bloop."

Such was typical of the pitching staff, as Tulane put a runner on base in every inning until the second Sunday afternoon.

"There was no excuse for pitchers not throwing strikes," Wine said.

Tulane had come into the game struggling, but on the weekend it doubled its former production of runs to 10 per contest.

Penn State's offense stagnated after Friday. Yesterday, Tulane starting pitcher Billy Mohl brought a no hitter into the seventh inning, but unseen Penn State pressure prompted Tulane coach Rick Jones to pull him for Daniel Latham, who Penn State outfielder Lance Thompson took yard for a three-run shot, Penn State's first of the season. It also ended a 17-inning Penn State scoreless streak.

"We had no runs on the board," Thompson said. "I was basically trying to put the ball in play and it happened to go out, I'd been feeling comfortable at the plate all weekend."

Thompson had a big weekend overall, recording five hits in three days. He also tallied Penn State's first outfield assist, proving that the senior is indispensable in the field and at the plate.

Wine sees Thompson's tenacity as an example-setter for his young club, which started freshmen yesterday.

"Lance is a competitor and that's one thing I talked about with these guys. I want a kid who's mind is in it, whose heart is in it for 27 outs and he's that guy."

Thompson's tenure as a Lion surpasses that of the coaching staff. Apparently he will be part-time baseball player and tourguide as his young team traverses the country.