Standing outside of a sullen Penn State locker room last night, Nittany Lion head coach Robbie Wine congratulated freshman relief pitcher John Karr with a pat on the back and a "Good job."

Although Karr's stat line -- six hits and three runs (two earned) in three innings of work -- was anything but awe-inspiring, it did earn praise from his head coach.

"John Karr moved up in my book and in the bullpen," Wine said. "I like what I saw and he did a good job."

Karr, along with freshman pitcher Kayle Sickler and freshman second baseman Louie Picconi, was one of three young Lions to see some valuable playing time in last night's 16-8 loss against Mount St. Mary's at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Even though the three appearances came during Penn State's worst home loss of the season, Wine still considered them to be positive experiences.

"It's important for their development," Wine said.

Karr agreed, even if his sixth career appearance came in a game that was already out-of-hand before he stepped on the mound.

"When you're down by some runs and things aren't looking to go your way, it's basically just coming in and giving the fielders a chance to make plays," Karr said. "I tried to do my best and do my part.

"I showed a little bit with the off-speed [pitches], but, for the most part, I kept the fastball around the strike zone. I tried to let my team do the work and that's really what it's about when the game is kind of lopsided like that."

While Karr was the Lions' final pitcher of the evening, Sickler was their first.

Sickler delivered a promising first inning in his first career appearance. The right-handed hurler struck out right fielder Drew Counselman, the Mountaineers' lead-off hitter, but then allowed a triple to center fielder Ivor Hodgson.

Hodgson may have been stranded on third had he not scored on a pass ball. Sickler retired the next two batters he faced.

Instead of building on his strong first frame, however, Sickler struggled in the second.

After getting two quick outs, he loaded the bases with two walks and a hit-by-pitch, and then gave up a single that scored two runs.

Sickler never recovered.

He was unable to record an out in the third inning and he allowed three runs before being replaced by fellow freshman pitcher David Lutz.

Still, Wine was optimistic after Sickler's first outing.

"It was Kayle's first outing," Wine said. "He's young and it was his first outing.

"We'll talk to, him and it was good to get him out there and have something to build on. To go out and get a start and do what he did, we have something to start and something to work on. That's part of the game and that's growing pains."

One Lion who has appeared to overcome his growing pains is Picconi, who drove in two runs.

So far this season, Picconi has produced four RBI and scored twice in nine appearances (four starts). He has also amassed a .455 on-base percentage, which is tops on the team and something that has not gone unnoticed.

"Right now, he is doing everything he can do. He is getting on base. He's being a spark plug," senior infielder Matt Cavagnaro said.

"He gets on base. He gets hit by pitches. He does the little things to get on base."