The softball team has had nearly a month to rest. Now it's time to get back to business.

The team travels to Villanova at 3 tomorrow for a doubleheader against A-10 rival St. Joseph's University. The weekend matchup will be the first time the Lady Lions have played since a 10-game February run in Arizona.

The trip exposed the Lady Lions (2-8) to some of the top talent in the country -- all six of the teams they played were ranked in the Top 20 -- as well as displayed the team's strengths and weaknesses.

Coach Sue Rankin was particularly impressed with the defense.

"That was proven in Arizona," Rankin said. "They were making plays when they had to, and making plays in the clutch . . . right now, I'd have to say that's one of our fortes."

During the entire trip, the Lady Lions lost only two games by a margin of more than two runs.

Although the Lady Lions' defense kept opposing scoring to a minimum, their own offense was also kept in check, as they were held scoreless in five of the games.

"We're deficient at getting runs across the plate with runs in scoring position," Rankin said. "We hit the ball real well, we just weren't hitting in the clutch . . . and we've worked real hard to come back on doing just that.

"But then again, you don't see any better pitching than we saw at Arizona. That was the best in the country."

At the same time, Penn State assistant coach Beth Perine is optimistic about the Lady Lions' pitching staff.

"All the pitchers exceeded my expectations," Perine said. "They performed very well in a very challenging situation. We have a very solid, consistent staff of pitchers, and that we can rely on any one of them . . . Nobody really had any control problems, nobody got hit.

"I was impressed with the freshmen's field presence . . . for freshmen to go out and pitch against Top 20 competition, and not only hold their own, but really compete at a high level, is a rewarding feeling."

Perine said Kim Corbin, the only returning pitcher this year, provides the core of the staff based on her experience and consistency.

After a trip to Florida, St. Joseph's brings a 3-7 record to the twinbill. Even though the Lady Lions beat the Lady Hawks 9-1 and 5-0 last year, Rankin knows they can't afford to look past St. Joe's.

"They're going to be gunning for us," Rankin said. "All teams gun for Penn State, no matter what sport you play . . . we need to play with great consistence on defense, and play pretty strong in the clutch."

"Right now, the focus has to be on St.Joseph's," Perine added. "They're an Atlantic 10 opponent, and that's the culmination of our season. That's the reason we're here, the Atlantic 10."