Facing seven Top 20 teams in the first two weeks of the season may be a coach's nightmare, but that is the challenge the softball team begins today at the Arizona State Invitational in Tempe.

The Lady Lions open the tournament against No. 11 Minnesota at 1 this afternoon and will play Cal-Poly Pomona at 6. No. 17 University of Pacific, No. 10 Iowa State and No. 16 Arizona State are the other Top 20 teams slated to play Penn State in the tournament, which runs through Sunday.

After doubleheaders against sixth-ranked Arizona on Monday and San Diego State on Thursday, the squad will move on to Las Vegas to wrap up its southwest swing at the UNLV Lady Rebel Tournament, Mar. 3-5. Southern Utah, UNLV and Southwest Texas will all be on tap for the team on the opening day of the tournament. No. 13 University of Texas, Arlington and 20th-ranked Utah are not in Penn State's pool, but may meet the Lady Lions in a later round.

"We're definitely going to see the best teams in the country on this swing," Coach Sue Rankin said. "We scrimmaged Bloomsburg and California (Pa.), but it's not the same thing as being on a dirt infield and having the sky above us. I'm looking forward to being outside and playing good teams."

Although just five players return from last season's 34-20 club, Rankin doesn't think numbers will be a problem.

"We have a lot of people who are utility players, who can play anywhere," she said. "That's what we're doing, utilizing all 14 people we have to the fullest."

Inexperience, however, may be a problem, at least early in the season. All-Conference shortstop Nan Sichler and centerfielder Deb Bryan have graduated, and two pitchers, four other starters, and two utility players are gone from last year's squad. The other players left for a variety of reasons, Rankin said.

Of the 14 players on the roster, 10 are either freshmen or sophomores.

But Rankin, who led her team to the Atlantic 10 championship last season, thinks a second consecutive title is a real possibility.

"That's definitely within our grasp," she said. "There's no doubt in my mind that we can do it again.

"They are very team oriented," Rankin added. "Their attitude is -- win. That's what we need, kids who are out there playing their hearts out."

Massachusetts, Temple, Rhode Island and Rutgers will be the Lady Lions' toughest competition in the conference, the head coach said.

"Team commitment and attitude right now is more important than individual standouts," Rankin said. "They work well together. They definitely are more unified than the teams I've had in the past."

Co-captain Donna Devanney, who hit .319 with three home runs and 31 RBIs last year, will share the catching duties with freshman Deb Wyttenbach. When Wyttenbach catches, Devanney will play first or be the designated hitter. The senior is also recovering from a rotator cuff injury, and is not yet 100 percent, Rankin said.

Freshman Lori Griffith will be the starting first baseman when Devanney is behind the plate, and Kim Corbin, who is also the No. 2 pitcher, and Kellie Goodman will platoon at second base.

On the left side of the infield, Joyce Tinner, another freshman, will try to fill the big shoes left by Sichler at shortstop, and Dena Tauriello will move from second to third base.

Tauriello batted .340 last year, second behind Sichler. To try to improve this season, Tauriello said she has changed her batting stance.

"I spent my break last summer working with a coach back home in New Jersey on a new stance," Tauriello said. "It's more compact, and it will help me get around more quickly on the faster pitchers."

Co-captain Jodi Long (.182, 14 RBIs) will move over to center field from left, and will be flanked by either Julie Taylor or Jennifer Exler in left field and Amy Meyers or Goodman in right.

Cathy Kaminski will be the ace of the pitching staff. The junior posted a 14-7 record with a 1.82 ERA last season, including five shutouts. Kaminski came on strong after early season arm trouble and was named the Most Valuable Pitcher at the A-10 Tournament.

"Each day she's throwing stronger and longer," said Assistant Coach Beth Perine, who works primarily with the pitchers and catchers. "It's important for her endurance to build up.

"She has so many different pitches that it's been difficult to expand on that," Perine said, "but she's has a strong rise, and we're trying to throw an off-speed rise that will go up an in on a left-handed batter. Usually the rise comes inside on a right-handed batter."

"I think she is one of the top three pitchers in the east," Perine said. "The only reason I can't say she's the best is that obviously we don't play everybody in the east. From the teams we do play, I would consider her the best."

Corbin underwent shoulder surgery last season and sat out most of the year. She went 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA in three starts on last year's Florida trip.

"She's stronger than she's ever been," Perine said. "Her rehabilitation was long, but it was successful.

"She moves the ball around well, and placement for her is more important," she explained. "Even though Kim doesn't have as many pitches as Cathy, she will still be effective because of her consistency."

Sophomore Michele Hunter, a left-handed windmiller, will pitch primarily in relief but may get some spot starts, especially during this trip.

"Kim and Cathy will provide the strength we need for conference play, and Michele will be able to provide solid relief," Perine said. "As a staff, I'm concerned about our numbers. I'm concerned that we don't have a fourth pitcher.

"If we have any problems at all, we will have trouble. There's no doubt about it. A fourth pitcher gives you the padding that you need."

Although the club usually spends the first several weeks of the season on the road, this year the Lady Lions will not play at home until April 11, seven weeks into the season.

"We're used to playing the first half of our season away," Rankin said. "I think we're getting used to it, at least the players who have been here for a few years."

"I think the younger players are a little worried about missing classes, but I'm used to it and you just have to work around it," Tauriello said.