Student athlete of the week: Patrick Worthington By WILLS KING STAFF WRITER WPKSOO4@PSU.EDU As fall workouts for the Penn State Harrisburg baseball team come to an end, the players and coaches are left with an impression to gauge how competitive the club will be for the season once the spring comes. Newcomers to the team, both BIG TEN: Playboy's hottest Continued from page 1 alone and Brianna Leigh, Nicole Marie, Crystal Elise, Kimberlee Ann and Shannon Elizabeth posing as a group on page 106. Wearing nothing but her Nittany Lion necklace is Sophia Adams. While lying on a bed on her side with one arm resting on her book, it looks like she took time off from studying. The entire room is Penn State themed -- from the Penn State pillows and the Penn State pizza box on the bed to the plate and napkin for the pizza. Brianna Leigh, Nicole Marie, Crystal Elise, Kimberlee Ann and Shannon Elizabeth who posed in front a huge Penn State banner on the tailgate of a pickup truck Interview with 'Hottest Big 10 girl" Maxine Voted Hottest Big 10 girl by PlayboyU.com, Maxine Christine, 19, attends Northwestern University and double majors in dance and Spanish. Her audition story is interesting because she almost did not get to audition She did not find out about the auditions until it appeared in the school's newspaper, "The Daily." She e-mailed the people in charge of the photo shoot at Playboy shoot. As they were only there for another day and a half, she came down for a quick audition, and got the photo shoot. When she found out she was voted Hottest Big 10 girl by players and coaches alike, have met the teammates that they hope will help lead to a successful season, while returning players such as Pat Worthington, a sophomore, have something to compare to teams from previous years. With the combination of a successful rookie season, a new wave of talented players, and a revamped coaching staff, Photo courtesy of PLAYBOY Sophia Adams from Penn State. do not fail to show their school spirit. PlayboyU.com she said, "I was so excited. It was a huge shock for me because there are so many other schools that are so much bigger than Northwestern. I didn't really think I'd have that big of a chance winning. It was great." Maxine Christine looks forward to the opportunities that come from the pictorial. She's working on fundraising, tailoring her Web site and opening a dance company later in life after she graduates. "There's no such thing as bad publicity unless they spell your name wrong. So this is really just giving me an extra step THE CAPITAL TIMES Worthington has his eyes set on the upcoming season with big plans in mind. A resident of Paxtonia, Pa., Worthington has been playing baseball ever since he could remember. As a student studying for a major in structural design and engineering construction technology, he plans to spend a total of four years at PSH, where he with continue his baseball co-eds Brianna Leigh wears a Penn State Hat and hoodie which is completely unzipped baring it all. Nicole Marie wears only a Penn State tank top and panties as she covers the area her lifted shirt fails to cover with her hands. Crystal Elise and Kimberlee Ann sport nothing but Penn State temporary tattoos as a white football with the Nittany Lion rests between them. Shannon Elizabeth has nothing on but a scarf, daisy dukes, and her Happy Valley beanie. Photo courtesy of PLAYBOY Maxine Christine of North western University. to focus on my philanthropic things I'm working on ... We'll just see where it takes me," she said. career. A second year veteran to PSH baseball, Worthington spent last year contributing to the, team as an outfielder, catcher and first baseman. Baseball is almost instinctive for Worthington. From his diehard fanhood for the Philadelphia Phillies, to his unbridled dedication to every team he has ever played for, he possesses a baseball mentality that he demonstrates through a tireless work ethic believes hard work and hustle is the key to success in the sport, and he is pleased with what he has seen so far. "Everybody seems to be working their butts off in practice," said Worthington. "We have a good group of guys who are trying to get better, and have shown a common goal of getting better every day." Worthington experienced his first taste of college baseball last year at PSH, on a team that missed clinching a playoff berth by a margin of only two games. Yet while several important players from last year's squad are not returning or are ineligible for another year, Worthington believes that the 2009 team will undoubtedly be competitive. "Last years team had a lot of talent, but this year does too," said Worthington. "We lost a couple of our big hitters, but we kept all of our pitching and gained some new talent." A change in management is one of the major differences in this years team. Last year's assistant coach, Jim Tetkoskie, now takes the reigns as head coach of a team that still possesses most of the core playerse from last season. Also, a wave of rookies creates a new team that has Worthington feeling optimistic about a successful season in the Spring. "I think we're really good. We have some really good Oct. 8 2008 Pat Worthington plays varsity men's soccer for PSH. talent on our team this time around," said Worthington. "I definitely think we have a chance to win the NEAC this year." But first, Worthington and the rest of the baseball team must stay prepared through the off-season. Worthington will be spending all Winter keeping in shape with a weight lifting program, extensive conditioning, and indoor practices. But while he knows this is what he can do to help the team for the upcoming season, he also hopes that other students can do their part as well. "I'd like to see some fans make it out to some games," said Worthington. "I know it's the same with all of the sports, and sometimes it's hard to get the word out, but it's definitely easier to play harder when you have fans giving you a home-field advantage." Time will tell if all the hard work will pay off once the season begins this Spring, but until then, Pat Worthington will be taking everything one day at a time. By doing all that he can, he believes fans and supporters of the team will have something to look forward to when the season comes around. Staff writer Wills King is on the varsity Men's baseball team.