Thursday, February 29, 1996 Change of seasons for by Nick Zulovich Sports Editor Spring is in the air, or at least it was for awhile here in the Erie area. But nevertheless, Paul Benim and the Penn State Behrend Baseball team me definitely thinking about spring, and their season that is fast approaching. Next week, while many of us am relaxing and taking it easy during spring break, Benim and the Lions will be hard at work in Florida for spring training. Benim is in his first season with the baseball program after three successful seasons with the Bchrend softball team. The team will be attending the Florida Coast spring training camp. This facility gives schools an opportunity to get a few games under their belt before heading into the bigger part of their schedules. The team will arrive in Florida on Sunday evening and play their first game of the season next Tuesday. "The main purpose of going to Florida is to prepare for your northern schedule. But at the same time, we will find out who can do what, and learn some things about ourselves," Benim said. Benim has the luxury of veterans in a few key positions to shape this season's squad into a possible powerhouse. Junior Quinn McGuire, who anchored the outfield in the center last season, could be moved to left this season. He is expected upon to provide some lightening on the base-paths. McGuire has 27 career steals after batting leadoff most of last season. But McGuire said he will do anything that is asked of him, both offensively and defensively. "No matter what position I'm in [in the lineup], I'm just going to expect myself to step up and do what I have to do, whether that [is tol drive home runners or get myself on base," stated McGuire. McGuire also assumes much leadership on the team, being the co-captain. He explained his responsibility is to "show the freshman what to expect, that this is a lot different from high school baseball, and to show them what to do to make this program better." Benim also has the best average hitter returning. Junior Bill Vitron led the Lions last Sports season with a .397 average and drove in 14 runs. Vitron could end up being the Lions everyday first baseman. Sophomores Marc Burchanowski and John Matson will handle most of the chores at two of the more difficult defensive positions, catcher and third base respectively. Burchanowski wilt have the job of helping mature a young pitching staff. While Matson will be expected to help in the Lions' run production as well as some duty on Ihe•mound. That pitching staff contains the lone senior on , the club. Robert Vadala will be expected to be one of the teams top pitchers. Last season Vadala posted a 1-3 teaNd with a 3.54 ERA in 30 innings pitched. Vadala said he does not feel the pressure of being expected to be one of the top pitchers for the "The way I look at it is I don't think of it as pressure. I look at it as a challenge," Vadala said. The Lions have scheduled 44 games this . season, so contributions from the entire pitching staff will be necessary. Vadala explained that "with our schedule, whether we play most boys of spring of those games or not, there will be three of four pitchers who will be pitching a lot this season." Bcnim explained that many of his position players also pitch. He feels it will take some time for his players to make many adjustments. Benim hopes the time spent in Florida will help him and his staff sort out the pitching situation. "It's kind of tough to go out and pitch a game one day and then go out and play shortstop the next. It will be interesting to see what happens. [The Florida trip] should give us a good assessment of who will start and who is middle relief and that sort of thing," explained Benin). Benim feels his team could end up being an offensive oriented group because of the amount of speed on the club. "Speed is our strongest and biggest asset. There am about four guys on our squad who can run like the wind. We're going IM Champs by Julie B. Stocker Assinwu Sports Editor ' j ust any it,s nut gistein Hta Super • the teams ?netthe Hoops first was Fintor the I men's ti!b3ryga P er is Borict Th e t Ohio title. 3 the . tbrin reg lin it 1992 seC°nd wo tea state The winning team fnxn fteluend was the RUPPSTERS, which consisted of Angie Georg, Heather : :Nader, Mary Anne Rupp, and Amy Shanahan. eorg is a setter for the volleyball team, while Nonier is a pitcher on the softball team. Rupp is a midfielder on the wiccer team, and Stoma!um is looking us >to play imalppopsr, ila Sinks ring mvie Hnehen 4 i sta airOP, l : come n wattls out laY einft* but * 0 gat betta ' o * ST din end , ele Inn On Ur& • wa n t o n** t o t oft t ao k, . B .kthe'.ltWlVlMV* 4o : their . :I.oC4*Yff ite$1(10 . 000-itt 54.. • 1t... ri! . • long ditY•l, I . bet - the mitt:nem of *noire ftegietudif wompw.: ixornewdthxwit. • to try to use that to our best advantage and put pressure on the opposition by making things happen on the base-paths." McGuire agrees with his coach. "Throughout our lineup, there going to be players who are able to steal bases consistently." The freshman class this season should have quite an impact on this season's team. Freshmen Phil Carper and Ben Hager arc two outfielders to watch this season. Carper can add even more speed to the lineup while Hager has ability to drive the ball from both sides of the plate. Pitchers Ban Gaskcy, Matt Holian, John Ronan and Jim Weaver will also be looked upon in their first season of college baseball to put up some good innings for the Lions. Bcnim summed up his club's possibitics with a simple but sensible thought. "If we all focus our energies and make . some sacrifics, we're going to be successful." ".This was the third Schick's Super Hoops IM tournament that I have beta in. and the team this year was the best," said Stranahan. Intramural DireCtor Rob Wittman was very happy to have a victorious Schmid team, and knows the feeling. "I was on tr team that won (the regionals] in 1988; 1 ' "started Wittman. as his team won at University Part, his alma meter. Wittman's team then moved on to the University of Pennsylvania' to win the Schick Super Hoops regionals and achieved the right to play during halfime of a Philadelphia 76as game: "But things ate a little bit different now, because in 'BB as well as'in '92, both championship teams played during halftime of an NBA game. Now, the winning teams receive tickets to an NBA game." "That's why I brought Schick's Super Hoops here Ito /*Attend in 19911 because I knew about it from University Park, and realized' what a great opportunity it was," said Wittman. The battle for the 1996 Schick Super' Hoops title was PIItYO,IO 13 different regions, for both mos and' to teams. was an estimated 5 00 schools and 150,000 participants ready' for skim*. 1#414:11 1 4"NO tickets. OnnXived MitochfaStiper.iionpshcket, o s ioa ioe re ; given schiek, swot • • te*hi Adwhiff len*, ek www • VIP " - The _ and icoaraLiends ea! , tuatara towns statilike %wean. Page 11