Softball in the freezing cold is dangerous. Joints become stiff, arms ache easily and muscle pulls are only a pitch or slide away.

So, with weekend highs in central Michigan barely reaching 30 degrees, it's easy to see why the Penn State softball team's quest to conquer the Wolverines and Spartans was cancelled.

But, for the Nittany Lions, this was more than just a wasted 15-hour bus trip with sleepovers in hotel rooms. This was a lost opportunity to make their presence felt in a conference that has recently been dominated by their nemesis with the winged helmets.

Penn State had already defeated the Wolverines once this season, 5-2, at the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, Calif. But that game had no bearing on the league standings. This time, the Lions had a chance to bulldoze one of the conference's pillars and begin their own ascent toward the top.

But Mother Nature didn't agree with Penn State's plans, and it's a shame because the battle of the blues and their complements -- Penn State's white against Michigan's maize -- was destined to be memorable.

At practice last week, there was a buzz of eagerness. Without a hint of arrogance, pitcher/utility player Jenn Reynolds said she was "excited" for the trip and ready for the opportunity to establish Penn State as a serious title contender. But, always respectful of every opponent, she never failed to mention the Spartans as well.

And that's what makes this team different. They take nothing for granted and never get too high -- building early leads but not relenting against outclassed, but often-pesky St. Francis -- nor too low -- rallying from down 3-0 against Wisconsin to win, 8-3.

In times when the Lions have been off their game and vulnerable, they have been jump-started by their offense. Other times, Penn State has been kept alive by its pitching. And when the two are in harmony, the Lions become a national-caliber team.

Riding a current five-game winning streak, the team's mindset is solid. There's an air of confidence. They legitimately believe head coach Robin Petrini's philosophy to respect every opponent. Ask the players and Petrini the same question and chances are, you'll get an identical answer.

And when she demands aggressive, smart play, her team responds. The Lions routinely take an extra base, power-hitters lay down unexpected squeeze bunts and pitchers escape jams with pinpoint strikeouts.

The roster littered with clutch bats has evolved over the past month, and the Lions have started to realize their full potential. The next step in the journey to the top was supposed to be a meeting with the established Wolverines. A sweep would most likely have vaulted Penn State into the top 25 and sent a message to the Big Ten.

Instead, the matchup never happened.

But maybe it's for the best. Maybe these two teams are too good to meet in less-than-perfect conditions. Maybe they'll meet again later in the season. Maybe the Lions and Wolverines are destined to play for something bigger. Snowy early April is inadequate for a game of this magnitude. But the Big Ten tournament in warm, sunny May, yea, that sounds much more fitting for a potential changing of the guard.