Vol. 8, No. 30 (Through Sunday, March 7)
Penn College Wildcat Tales BaseballSunshine on most days with daytime high temperatures ranging from the upper 60s to mid 70s; who wouldn't go for that right now?
In an effort to prepare for the start of its season later this month, the Pennsylvania College of Technology baseball team is spending the week taking advantage of those weather conditions at Cocoa Expo College Baseball Spring Training in Cocoa, Fla. The complex is the former spring training home of the Houston Astros and Florida Marlins.
"I hate to say wins and losses aren't important, but it is our spring training and we're there to work on fundamentals, to get back into the swing of things and get used to playing a game again to get ready for our (Penn State University Athletic) conference schedule," said Chris Howard, who is entering his fourth year as coach and whose team is the two-time defending PSUAC champ.
In a change from previous years, the Wildcats did not have a full 20-plus game fall season. They were limited to five weeks of practice and three game dates.
"It was a little tough. You couldn't really evaluate the new guys who came in as much as you would like to. But from what I saw, I'm very optimistic that another successful season is on its way," Howard said.
The coach noted that there has been more intensity during indoor practice in January and February, with a focus on physical fitness.
"I told them it was really important to be ready physically when we get to Florida so that we're ready to play," he said. "I want the pitchers to get their throwing in (this week), make sure that their arms are good and strong and ready for our first game (March 21). This is going to be the first time that hitters have faced live pitching and I want them to spend those five or six days that we're going to play to get their timing down."
Men's Club Volleyball Early last week week, for the first time in its history, the Pennsylvania College of Technology men's volleyball team earned a national club ranking at No. 25. Thursday night it celebrated by knocking off top-ranked Messiah College in five sets at Bardo Gym.
On Saturday, the Wildcats were back in action in a tournament at Messiah where they finished fifth in a 12-team field.
Recent Results/Upcoming GamesBaseball Sunday, March 7-Saturday, March 13 Spring training at Cocoa Beach Expo, Cocoa Beach, Fla.
ArcherySaturday-Sunday, March 13-14 at U.S. Indoor Eastern Regionals, Harrisonburg, Va.
Men's Club VolleyballOverall record: 10-0 Thursday, March 4 host Messiah College, W, 22-25, 25-17, 16-25, 25-17, 15-11 Saturday, March 6 at Messiah College Tournament, fifth in 12-team field
(Complete rosters and season schedules are available on the college's Athletics Web site. For more information on the PSUAC, visit on the Web; more about the USCAA also is available online.)